Christ Quote by Barry Unsworth
““I glimpsed the man's face with the shine of death on it. They laid him down there in the open. They had brought him there to be close to his death, I understood this also at the same moment. For who would wish to see a companion gasp his last on a jolting cart? We desire to keep the dying and the newly dead close before our eyes so as to give them full meed of pity. Our Lord was brought down to be pitied, on the Cross He was too far away.””
About This Quote
The passage reflects on humanity’s instinct to witness suffering up close, suggesting that seeing death intensifies compassion, yet it also questions why we seek such proximity.
In simple terms: We watch dying people to feel pity, but why?
Key Takeaway
Proximity to death amplifies empathy.
Themes
mortality
compassion
human nature
suffering
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- hospital hospice visits
- funeral processions
- war casualty reporting
Key Concepts
psychology of empathy
ritual of mourning
Practical Applications
- Use controlled exposure to grief in therapy to foster empathy
Questions to Reflect On
- Does seeing suffering always increase compassion?
- Can distance ever foster deeper empathy?
A Different Perspective
Close exposure can also desensitize or cause trauma, reducing empathy.
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