Ho, Ho, Sir Surgeon. You are too delicate to tell the man…
“Ho, Ho, Sir Surgeon. You are too delicate to tell the man that he is ill. You hope to heal the sick without their knowing it. You therefore flatter them. And what happens? They laugh at you. They dance upon their own graves and at last they die. Your delicacy is cruelty, your flatteries are poisons you are a murderer. Shall we keep men in a fool's paradise? Shall we lull them into soft slumber from which they will awake in hell? Are we to become helpers of their damnation by our smooth speeches? In the name of God we will not.”
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 condemns false compassion that hides truth, arguing that deceptive kindness leads to ruin.
In simple terms: Deceptive kindness harms.
Key Takeaway
Avoid false comfort; speak truth.
Themes
truth
compassion
deception
ethics
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- pastoral counseling
- medical ethics
- political rhetoric
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
moral responsibility
integrity
human dignity
Questions to Reflect On
- How does honesty affect trust?
- When is kindness harmful?
A Different Perspective
False kindness can enable denial and suffering.