Pity Quote by Antiphon
““Pity . . . is more properly bestowed in cases of involuntary suffering than of crime and offences committed voluntarily and with malice aforethought.””
About This Quote
Source Philosophical treatise, ancient Greece
Compassion is appropriate for involuntary suffering, not for willful wrongdoing.
In simple terms: Pity applies to unchosen suffering.
Key Takeaway
Reserve pity for victims, not perpetrators.
Themes
ethics
compassion
justice
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- legal judgments
- medical ethics
- social welfare
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
voluntary vs involuntary harm
empathy
Questions to Reflect On
- When is pity justified?
- How to differentiate suffering types?
A Different Perspective
Moral judgments can be complex.
