Trials make more room for consolation. There is nothing…
“Trials make more room for consolation. There is nothing that makes a man have a big heart like a great trial. I always find that little, miserable people, whose hearts are about the size of a grain of mustard seed, never have had much to try them. I have found that those people who have no sympathy for their fellows — who never weep for the sorrows of others — very seldom have had any woes of their own. Great hearts can only be made by great troubles.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Hardship expands compassion; those who never face trials lack empathy for others.
In simple terms: Suffering builds empathy.
Key Takeaway
Embrace challenges to grow compassion.
Themes
adversity
empathy
growth
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- personal loss
- illness
- financial hardship
- war
- natural disaster
Key Concepts
psychology
spirituality
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- Can hardship always foster kindness?
- How can we support those who have not faced trials?
A Different Perspective
Not all suffering leads to empathy; some become bitter.