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When I hear that a personal friend has fallen into…

“When I hear that a personal friend has fallen into matrimonial courses, I feel the same sorrow as if I had heard of his lapsing into theism — a holy sorrow, unmixed with anger.” quote by Algernon Charles Swinburne
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“When I hear that a personal friend has fallen into matrimonial courses, I feel the same sorrow as if I had heard of his lapsing into theism — a holy sorrow, unmixed with anger.”

Algernon Charles Swinburne

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker feels deep, compassionate sorrow for a friend's moral decline, akin to religious grief, without resentment.

In simple terms: Compassionate grief for a friend's moral failings.

Key Takeaway

Feel empathy, not anger, when others stray.

Themes

compassion morality friendship

Mood

sad reflective

Type

emotional philosophical

When to use this quote

  • supporting a friend
  • counseling
  • community response
  • personal reflection

Key Concepts

grief empathy spirituality

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you help a friend without judgment?
  • What does “holy sorrow” mean to you?
A Different Perspective

Such sorrow may overlook personal responsibility to intervene.

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