She had a wild impulse to seize the stout, good-natured…
““She had a wild impulse to seize the stout, good-natured nun by the shoulders and shake her, crying: "Don't you know that I'm a human being, unhappy and alone, and I want comfort and sympathy and encouragement; oh, can't you turn a minute away from God and give me a little compassion; not the Christian compassion that you have for all suffering things, but just human compassion for me?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A desperate plea for personal empathy beyond abstract religious compassion, highlighting human loneliness and the need for genuine connection.
In simple terms: A person seeks personal compassion, not just generic religious kindness.
Key Takeaway
Ask for genuine empathy in relationships.
Themes
loneliness
compassion
humanity
faith
vulnerability
Mood
empathetic
reflective
yearning
Type
emotional
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- therapy sessions
- caregiver support
- friendship
- spiritual counseling
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
religion
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate between spiritual and human compassion?
- When have you felt a lack of personal empathy?
A Different Perspective
Religious doctrine may not satisfy individual emotional needs.