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“Human misery is so appalling nowadays that if we allowed ourselves to dwell on it we should only add imaginary miseries of our own to the real miseries of others without doing them any good.” quote by George Bernard Shaw
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“Human misery is so appalling nowadays that if we allowed ourselves to dwell on it we should only add imaginary miseries of our own to the real miseries of others without doing them any good.”

George Bernard Shaw

About This Quote

Source Play: Man and Superman, 1903

Dwelling on others' suffering adds imagined woes, providing no benefit to anyone.

In simple terms: Focusing on others' pain creates more imagined problems.

Key Takeaway

Focus on constructive actions instead of rumination.

Themes

compassion mindfulness ethics

Mood

empathetic serious

Type

ethical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • counseling sessions
  • volunteering
  • media consumption

Key Concepts

suffering imaginary distress

Questions to Reflect On

  • What suffering can you alleviate today?
  • How do you balance awareness and personal well‑being?
A Different Perspective

Avoiding empathy can lead to indifference; some suffering requires acknowledgment.

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