--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Pay special attention to their agony so I…" description: "\"Pay special attention to their agony so I might take some pleasure.\" — Euripides" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ec/euripides-472_agony_pay-special-attention-to-their-agony-so_43551.png" --- # Pay special attention to their agony so I might take some… ![“Pay special attention to their agony so I might take some pleasure.” quote by Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ec/euripides-472_agony_pay-special-attention-to-their-agony-so_43551.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ec/euripides-472_agony_pay-special-attention-to-their-agony-so_43551.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ec/euripides-472_agony_pay-special-attention-to-their-agony-so_43551.png) > “Pay special attention to their agony so I might take some pleasure.” [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker suggests deriving satisfaction by observing others' suffering, highlighting a dark, voyeuristic pleasure in pain. **In simple terms:** Finding joy in others' misery. Key Takeaway Pleasure can stem from empathy's perverse side. Themes morality psychology human nature empathy dark humor Mood cynical macabre reflective Type aphorism philosophical observation When to use this quote - watching a tragedy unfold - reading a grim novel - observing a rival's failure - listening to a confession of guilt Key Concepts sadism spectatorship ethical ambiguity Practical Applications - critical analysis of literature - ethical debates on empathy Questions to Reflect On - What does this reveal about the observer's values? - How does this perspective affect interpersonal relationships? A Different Perspective Such enjoyment may indicate a lack of compassion and can erode social bonds. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Agony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agony/) [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) ## Related quotes > [I looked, and had an acute pleasure in looking,--a precious yet poignant pleasure; pure gold, with a steely point of agony: a pleasure like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/i-looked-and-had-an-acute-pleasure-in-looking-a-precious-yet-poignant/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [I don't think special attention should be given to an actor or a singer or a baseball player or a soccer player more than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/i-don-t-think-special-attention-should-be-given-to-an-actor-or-a/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) > [Of all presidential perks, the pardon power has a special significance. It is just the kind of authority that would attract the special attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-olson/of-all-presidential-perks-the-pardon-power-has-a-special-significance/) [Barbara Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-olson/) > [“Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention to those who, by accidents of time, or place, or circumstance,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/since-you-cannot-do-good-to-all-you-are-to-pay-special-attention-to-2/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/since-you-cannot-do-good-to-all-you-are-to-pay-special-attention-to/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [In reference to the Army and Navy, lately employed with so much distinction on active service, care shall be taken to insure the highest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-taylor/in-reference-to-the-army-and-navy-lately-employed-with-so-much/) [Zachary Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-taylor/) > [I have never wanted special attention. I was only willing to do what was asked of me and what seemed necessary at the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miep-gies/i-have-never-wanted-special-attention-i-was-only-willing-to-do-what/) [Miep Gies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miep-gies/) > [Communications requires study, preparation, and a special attention to truth, goodness and beauty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/communications-requires-study-preparation-and-a-special-attention-to/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I believe in paying special attention to every project that you do and supporting the projects you do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vin-diesel/i-believe-in-paying-special-attention-to-every-project-that-you-do/) [Vin Diesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vin-diesel/) > [“Don't you want to fall into bed and let me pay special attention to you all day?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-ellen-malpas/don-t-you-want-to-fall-into-bed-and-let-me-pay-special-attention-to/) [Jodi Ellen Malpas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-ellen-malpas/) > [In general, librarians enjoyed special requests. A reference librarian is someone who likes the chase. When librarians read for pleasure, they often pick a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-joy-fowler/in-general-librarians-enjoyed-special-requests-a-reference-librarian/) [Karen Joy Fowler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-joy-fowler/) > [As we look upon that agony and those tearful prayers, let us not only look with thankfulness; but let that kneeling Saviour teach us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/as-we-look-upon-that-agony-and-those-tearful-prayers-let-us-not-only/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) > [ “\[W\]e must learn to accommodate ourselves to the discovery that some of those cunningly-fashioned instruments called human souls have only a very limited range… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/w-e-must-learn-to-accommodate-ourselves-to-the-discovery-that-some-of/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [“aaron would not come out aaron entered into agony.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/aaron-would-not-come-out-aaron-entered-into-agony/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) ## More by Euripides > [“Oh where is the noble face of modesty, or the strength of virtue, now that blasphemy is in power and men have put justice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/oh-where-is-the-noble-face-of-modesty-or-the-strength-of-virtue-now/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [A second wife is hateful to the children of the first; a viper is not more hateful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/a-second-wife-is-hateful-to-the-children-of-the-first-a-viper-is-not/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [Old age is not a total misery. Experience helps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/old-age-is-not-a-total-misery-experience-helps/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [“What greater sorrow than being forced to leave behind my native earth?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/what-greater-sorrow-than-being-forced-to-leave-behind-my-native-earth/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [“You don't know what your life is, nor what you're doing, nor who you are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/you-don-t-know-what-your-life-is-nor-what-you-re-doing-nor-who-you-are/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [But woe to him, who left to moan, Reviews the hours of brightness gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/but-woe-to-him-who-left-to-moan-reviews-the-hours-of-brightness-gone/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [Who then will dare to say I'm weak or timid? No, they'll say I'm loyal as a friend, ruthless as a foe, so much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/who-then-will-dare-to-say-i-m-weak-or-timid-no-they-ll-say-i-m-loyal/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [“Dreams of the proud man, making great And greater ever, Things which are not of God. In wide And devious coverts, hunter-wise, He coucheth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/dreams-of-the-proud-man-making-great-and-greater-ever-things-which/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [There is desire in those who love to hear about their loved ones' pains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/there-is-desire-in-those-who-love-to-hear-about-their-loved-ones-pains/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [Soon all of you immortals Will be as dead as we are! Come on then, what are you waiting for? Have you run out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/soon-all-of-you-immortals-will-be-as-dead-as-we-are-come-on-then-what/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [There is the sky, which is all men's together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/there-is-the-sky-which-is-all-men-s-together/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [Youth holds no society with grief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/youth-holds-no-society-with-grief/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [Leave no stone unturned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/leave-no-stone-unturned/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [The man who glories in his luck may be overthrown by destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/the-man-who-glories-in-his-luck-may-be-overthrown-by-destiny/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [God in heaven has dominion Over so many events. He can frustrate what seems inevitable, And bring to pass the thing that you least…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/god-in-heaven-has-dominion-over-so-many-events-he-can-frustrate-what/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) [Explore all 532 Euripides quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) ## More Agony quotes > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [“aaron would not come out aaron entered into agony.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/aaron-would-not-come-out-aaron-entered-into-agony/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) > [ “\[W\]e must learn to accommodate ourselves to the discovery that some of those cunningly-fashioned instruments called human souls have only a very limited range… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/w-e-must-learn-to-accommodate-ourselves-to-the-discovery-that-some-of/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [As we look upon that agony and those tearful prayers, let us not only look with thankfulness; but let that kneeling Saviour teach us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/as-we-look-upon-that-agony-and-those-tearful-prayers-let-us-not-only/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) > [Love masters agony; the soul that seemed Forsaken feels her present God again And in her Father's arms Contented dies away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-keble/love-masters-agony-the-soul-that-seemed-forsaken-feels-her-present/) [John Keble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-keble/) > [I have seen war. I have seen war on land and sea. I have seen blood running from the wounded. I have seen men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/i-have-seen-war-i-have-seen-war-on-land-and-sea-i-have-seen-blood/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [“Anger was a reliable defense, but one that allowed no chance of final victory. Anger was a medicine but never a cure, briefly numbing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/anger-was-a-reliable-defense-but-one-that-allowed-no-chance-of-final/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [The cure is in the house, not brought by other hands from distant places, but by its own, in agony and blood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/the-cure-is-in-the-house-not-brought-by-other-hands-from-distant/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [Sometimes, a lie is told in kindness. I don't believe it ever works kindly. The quick pain of truth can pass away, but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/sometimes-a-lie-is-told-in-kindness-i-don-t-believe-it-ever-works/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [The young man shivered. He rolled the stock themes of fantasy over in his mind: cars and stockbrokers and commuters, housewives and police, agony…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/the-young-man-shivered-he-rolled-the-stock-themes-of-fantasy-over-in/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [Being ill like this combines shock - this time I will die - with a pain and agony that are unfamiliar, that wrench me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-brodkey/being-ill-like-this-combines-shock-this-time-i-will-die-with-a-pain/) [Harold Brodkey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-brodkey/) > [One often learns more from ten days of agony than ten years of contentment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merle-shain/one-often-learns-more-from-ten-days-of-agony-than-ten-years-of/) [Merle Shain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/merle-shain/) > [There’s been a problem, a problem eating away at me from the inside out. I’ve become weak, I’ve shown human compassion, and it has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kane/there-s-been-a-problem-a-problem-eating-away-at-me-from-the-inside/) [Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kane/) > [Die, enemies of Ra!" Sekhemet yelled. "Perish in agony!" "She's almost as annoying as you," I told Horus. "Impossible," Horus said. "No one bests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/die-enemies-of-ra-sekhemet-yelled-perish-in-agony-she-s-almost-as/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [But only agony, and that has ending; And the worst friend and enemy is but Death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-brooke/but-only-agony-and-that-has-ending-and-the-worst-friend-and-enemy-is/) [Rupert Brooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-brooke/) [Browse all 813 Agony quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agony/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Pay special attention to their agony so I might take some pleasure.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Euripides" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/pay-special-attention-to-their-agony-so-i-might-take-some-pleasure/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Agony" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/pay-special-attention-to-their-agony-so-i-might-take-some-pleasure/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ec/euripides-472_agony_pay-special-attention-to-their-agony-so_43551.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ec/euripides-472_agony_pay-special-attention-to-their-agony-so_43551.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ec/euripides-472_agony_pay-special-attention-to-their-agony-so_43551.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Pay special attention to their agony so I might take some pleasure.” — Euripides", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Euripides", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Pay special attention to their agony...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/pay-special-attention-to-their-agony-so-i-might-take-some-pleasure/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/pay-special-attention-to-their-agony-so-i-might-take-some-pleasure/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```