Comfort Quote by Elizabeth Gaskell
“Mr Thornton would rather have heard that she was suffering the natural sorrow. In the first place, there was selfishness enough in him to have taken pleasure in the idea that his great love might come in to comfort and console her; much the same kind of strange passionate pleasure which comes stinging through a mother's heart, when her drooping infant nestles close to her, and is dependent upon her for everything.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell, 1854
A man feels a conflicted, almost maternal, pleasure in his lover’s suffering, mixing selfishness with deep affection.
In simple terms: He enjoys her pain in a twisted, caring way.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and temper selfish motives in love.
Themes
love
selfishness
compassion
family
pain
Mood
melancholy
reflective
Type
literary
emotional
When to use this quote
- relationship counseling
- grief support
- parental guidance
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
psychology
emotional conflict
maternal instinct
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you ever feel conflicted empathy?
- How can you shift from selfish to selfless love?
A Different Perspective
Such pleasure can be harmful and may mask genuine empathy.
