I myself will perhaps cry out with all the rest, looking…
“I myself will perhaps cry out with all the rest, looking at the mother embracing her child's tormentor: 'Just art thou, O Lord!' but I do not want to cry out with them. While there's still time, I hasten to defend myself against it, and therefore I absolutely renounce all higher harmony. It is not worth one little tear of even that one tormented child who beat her chest with her little fist and prayed to 'dear God' in a stinking outhouse with her unredeemed tears!”
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 rejects shared suffering, choosing self‑preservation over collective grief.
In simple terms: Choosing self‑preservation over shared grief.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize personal resilience.
Themes
suffering
individualism
detachment
Mood
conflicted
reflective
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- grief counseling
- personal crisis
- ethical dilemmas
- spiritual doubt
Key Concepts
existentialism
emotional coping
self‑preservation
Questions to Reflect On
- When is self‑preservation justified?
- How does empathy balance with self‑care?
A Different Perspective
Ignoring others’ pain can erode empathy.