Abyss Quote by Anonymous
“As I crawled out of the abyss of combat and over the rail of the Sea Runner, I realized that compassion for the sufferings of others is a burden to those who have it. As Wilfred Owen's poem "Insensibility" puts it so well, those who feel most of others suffer most in war.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Sea Runner (fictional)
The quote suggests that deep empathy for others' pain can feel heavy, especially for those who have endured intense suffering themselves.
In simple terms: Feeling others' suffering can become a heavy burden for those already hurt.
Key Takeaway
Recognize empathy's weight and seek balance.
Themes
empathy
war
burden
compassion
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- veteran reintegration
- counseling
- support groups
- conflict zones
Key Concepts
psychology
moral philosophy
trauma
literature
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you support others without overwhelming yourself?
- What practices help balance compassion and self-care?
A Different Perspective
Empathy may also empower healing and solidarity, not just burden.
![“[S]uppose the mind of [a] friend of humanity were clouded over with his own grief, extinguishing all sympathetic participation in the fate of others; he still has the resources to be beneficent to those suffering distress, but the distress of others does not touch him because he is sufficiently…” quote by Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5bc/immanuel-kant-532_action_s-uppose-the-mind-of-a-friend-of-humanit_2154878.jpg)
![“[Christianity] neither enjoins the nastiness of the Cynic, nor the insensibility of the Stoic.” quote by George Berkeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9fa/george-berkeley-8287_christianity_christianity-neither-enjoins-the-nastine_218341.jpg)
