--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We cannot be kind to each other here for…" description: "\"We cannot be kind to each other here for even an hour. We whisper, and hint, and chuckle and grin at our brother's shame; however you take it we men ar..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/274/alfred-lord-tennyson-521_be-kind_we-cannot-be-kind-to-each-other-here-for_3233915.png" --- # We cannot be kind to each other here for even an hour. We… ![“We cannot be kind to each other here for even an hour. We whisper, and hint, and chuckle and grin at our brother's shame; however you take it we men are a little breed.” quote by Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/274/alfred-lord-tennyson-521_be-kind_we-cannot-be-kind-to-each-other-here-for_3233915.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/274/alfred-lord-tennyson-521_be-kind_we-cannot-be-kind-to-each-other-here-for_3233915.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/274/alfred-lord-tennyson-521_be-kind_we-cannot-be-kind-to-each-other-here-for_3233915.png) > “We cannot be kind to each other here for even an hour. We whisper, and hint, and chuckle and grin at our brother's shame; however you take it we men are a little breed.” [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human interactions can be shallow and mocking, revealing a tendency to derive pleasure from others' discomfort. **In simple terms:** People often mock each other's suffering. Key Takeaway Seek genuine empathy over ridicule. Themes mockery human nature social critique Mood cynical thoughtful Type poetic social When to use this quote - office politics - online forums - social gatherings Key Concepts psychology ethics Questions to Reflect On - Why do we enjoy others' shame? - How can we foster kinder communication? A Different Perspective Humor can be a defense against vulnerability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Be kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-kind/) [Brother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brother/) [Brother Shame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brother-shame-2935250/) [Brotherhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brotherhood/) [Grin Brother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grin-brother-6128669/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men Little](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-little-1200782/) [Shame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shame/) [Shame Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shame-men-540634/) ## Related quotes > [Doubt is the brother of shame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-erikson/doubt-is-the-brother-of-shame/) [Erik Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-erikson/) > [If a woman sleeps alone it puts a shame on all men. God has a very big heart, but there is one sin He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/if-a-woman-sleeps-alone-it-puts-a-shame-on-all-men-god-has-a-very-big/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) > [Shame on the men who can court exemption from present trouble and expense at the price of their own posterity's liberty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/shame-on-the-men-who-can-court-exemption-from-present-trouble-and/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) > [Some were beggars, some were kings, and some were masters of the arts. But in their shame they're all the same, these men with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hank-williams-jr-2/some-were-beggars-some-were-kings-and-some-were-masters-of-the-arts/) [Hank Williams, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hank-williams-jr-2/) > [Oh, shame to men! devil with devil damn'd Firm concord holds, men only disagree Of creatures rational.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/oh-shame-to-men-devil-with-devil-damn-d-firm-concord-holds-men-only/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [“Fucking is like a fine art, and it’s a shame more men don’t treat it as such.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-j-cole/fucking-is-like-a-fine-art-and-it-s-a-shame-more-men-don-t-treat-it/) [Stevie J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-j-cole/) > [Let not your tongue mention the shame of another, for you yourself are covered in shame and all men have tongues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/let-not-your-tongue-mention-the-shame-of-another-for-you-yourself-are/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [A lot of movements use women's involvement to shame men when recruitment is sagging.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mia-bloom/a-lot-of-movements-use-women-s-involvement-to-shame-men-when/) [Mia Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mia-bloom/) > [Honestly, I get more recognized for 'Three Men and a Little Lady' than 'Harry Potter'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fiona-shaw/honestly-i-get-more-recognized-for-three-men-and-a-little-lady-than/) [Fiona Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fiona-shaw/) > [There would be no great men if there were no little ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/there-would-be-no-great-men-if-there-were-no-little-ones/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [Washington is the city where the big men of little towns come to be disillusioned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-laurence-dunbar/washington-is-the-city-where-the-big-men-of-little-towns-come-to-be/) [Paul Laurence Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-laurence-dunbar/) > [We need tolerant men. We must all give in a little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-mulock/we-need-tolerant-men-we-must-all-give-in-a-little/) [William Mulock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-mulock/) > [“Bah. What does it matter now? There are no certainties let in the world. That was the age of great men, doing what was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/bah-what-does-it-matter-now-there-are-no-certainties-let-in-the-world/) [Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) > [“Little jobs require little men, and it's the little jobs that keep a kingdom running.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-eddings/little-jobs-require-little-men-and-it-s-the-little-jobs-that-keep-a/) [David Eddings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-eddings/) > [Women and men(both little and small) cared for anyone not at all they sowed their isn’t they reaped their same sun moon stars rain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-e-cummings/women-and-men-both-little-and-small-cared-for-anyone-not-at-all-they/) [e. e. cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-e-cummings/) ## More by Alfred Lord Tennyson > [Faith and unfaith can ne'er be equal powers; Unfaith is aught is want of faith in all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/faith-and-unfaith-can-ne-er-be-equal-powers-unfaith-is-aught-is-want/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [There is sweet music here that softer falls Than petals from blown roses on the grass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/there-is-sweet-music-here-that-softer-falls-than-petals-from-blown/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [The still affection of the heart Became an outward breathing type, That into stillness past again, And left a want unknown before; Although the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/the-still-affection-of-the-heart-became-an-outward-breathing-type/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [I do but sing because I must; and pipe but as the linnets sing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/i-do-but-sing-because-i-must-and-pipe-but-as-the-linnets-sing/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [Here about the beach I wandered, nourishing a youth sublime With the fairy tales of science, and the long result of Time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/here-about-the-beach-i-wandered-nourishing-a-youth-sublime-with-the/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [So now I have sworn to bury All this dead body of hate I feel so free and so clear By the loss of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/so-now-i-have-sworn-to-bury-all-this-dead-body-of-hate-i-feel-so-free/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [The jingling of the guinea helps the hurt that Honor feels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/the-jingling-of-the-guinea-helps-the-hurt-that-honor-feels/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [I come from haunts of coot and hern, I make a sudden sally And sparkle out among the fern, To bicker down a valley.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/i-come-from-haunts-of-coot-and-hern-i-make-a-sudden-sally-and-sparkle/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [Willows whiten, aspens quiver, Little breezes dusk and shiver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/willows-whiten-aspens-quiver-little-breezes-dusk-and-shiver/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [Cast all your cares on God; that anchor holds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/cast-all-your-cares-on-god-that-anchor-holds/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [Such a one do I remember, whom to look at was love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/such-a-one-do-i-remember-whom-to-look-at-was-love/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [If Nature put not forth her power About the opening of the flower, Who is it that could live an hour?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/if-nature-put-not-forth-her-power-about-the-opening-of-the-flower-who/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [As the husband is the wife is; thou art mated with a clown, As the grossness of his nature will have weight to drag…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/as-the-husband-is-the-wife-is-thou-art-mated-with-a-clown-as-the/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [Sin is too stupid to see beyond itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/sin-is-too-stupid-to-see-beyond-itself/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [Thou madest man, he knows not why, he thinks he was not made to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/thou-madest-man-he-knows-not-why-he-thinks-he-was-not-made-to-die/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) [Explore all 501 Alfred Lord Tennyson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) ## More Be kind quotes > [For some reason, we are truly convinced that if we criticize ourselves, the criticism will lead to change. If we are harsh, we believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/for-some-reason-we-are-truly-convinced-that-if-we-criticize-ourselves/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [Volunteer. Find ways to be useful. Be kind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-black/volunteer-find-ways-to-be-useful-be-kind/) [Claudia Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-black/) > [Remember to be kind. Remember to be loving. Remember to feel all your feelings and to take care of yourself. But most of all,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-beattie/remember-to-be-kind-remember-to-be-loving-remember-to-feel-all-your/) [Melody Beattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-beattie/) > [(I)f we are going to be kind, let it be out of simple generosity, not because we fear guilt or retribution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-f-we-are-going-to-be-kind-let-it-be-out-of-simple-generosity-not/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let me be patient, let me be kind, make me unselfish, without being blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauryn-hill/let-me-be-patient-let-me-be-kind-make-me-unselfish-without-being-blind/) [Lauryn Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauryn-hill/) > [But I believed in starting over. There was finally, I knew, only rupture and hurt and falling short between all persons, but, Shirley, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorrie-moore/but-i-believed-in-starting-over-there-was-finally-i-knew-only-rupture/) [Lorrie Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorrie-moore/) > [Those type of whites who are always going to jail with Negroes are the ones who tell Negroes to be loving and be kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/those-type-of-whites-who-are-always-going-to-jail-with-negroes-are/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [I thought being in the wheelchair might be kind of limiting for me as an actor. It turned out cool in a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-beaver/i-thought-being-in-the-wheelchair-might-be-kind-of-limiting-for-me-as/) [Jim Beaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-beaver/) > [When you have the choice between being right and being kind just choose kind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/when-you-have-the-choice-between-being-right-and-being-kind-just/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [In my case, when I am trying to be "kind" I often default in a sort of toothless loving-all stance that is, actually, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/in-my-case-when-i-am-trying-to-be-kind-i-often-default-in-a-sort-of/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [What one thing does the world need most today-apart, that is, from the all-inclusive thing we call righteousness? Aren't you inclined to agree that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-c-forbes/what-one-thing-does-the-world-need-most-today-apart-that-is-from-the/) [B. C. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-c-forbes/) > [At least with pets, and for all I know, people too, intelligence and quick-wittedness have nothing to do with a talent for being loved,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-baxter/at-least-with-pets-and-for-all-i-know-people-too-intelligence-and/) [Charles Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-baxter/) > [“A part of a healthy conscience is being able to confront consciencelessness. When you teach your daughter, explicitly or by passive rejection, that she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-stout/a-part-of-a-healthy-conscience-is-being-able-to-confront/) [Martha Stout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-stout/) > [Don't let fear or insecurity stop you from trying new things. Believe in yourself. Do what you love. 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