--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: So true it is, and so terrible too, that…" description: "\"“So true it is, and so terrible too, that up to a certain point the thought or sight of misery enlists our best affections; but, in certain special cas..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c06/herman-melville-162_empathy_so-true-it-is-and-so-terrible-too-that-u_248542.jpg" --- # So true it is, and so terrible too, that up to a certain… ![“So true it is, and so terrible too, that up to a certain point the thought or sight of misery enlists our best affections; but, in certain special cases, beyond that point it does not. They err who would assert that invariably this is owing to the inherent selfishness of the human heart. It rather…” quote by Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c06/herman-melville-162_empathy_so-true-it-is-and-so-terrible-too-that-u_248542.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c06/herman-melville-162_empathy_so-true-it-is-and-so-terrible-too-that-u_248542.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c06/herman-melville-162_empathy_so-true-it-is-and-so-terrible-too-that-u_248542.jpg) > ““So true it is, and so terrible too, that up to a certain point the thought or sight of misery enlists our best affections; but, in certain special cases, beyond that point it does not. They err who would assert that invariably this is owing to the inherent selfishness of the human heart. It rather proceeds from a certain hopelessness of remedying excessive and organic ill. To a sensitive being, pity is not seldom pain. And when at last it is perceived that such pity cannot lead to effectual succor, common sense bids the soul rid of it.”” [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Pity arises from seeing suffering, yet beyond a point it becomes painful and ineffective, prompting rational withdrawal. **In simple terms:** Pity can turn into pain and stop being useful. Key Takeaway Know when compassion becomes counterproductive. Themes compassion human nature limits Mood reflective somber Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - watching suffering - ethical decisions - charitable work Key Concepts empathy moral fatigue Questions to Reflect On - When does empathy become harmful? - How can we help without self‑sacrifice? A Different Perspective Excessive pity may lead to emotional burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Empathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empathy/) [Helplessness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helplessness/) [Hopelessness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hopelessness/) [Human heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-heart/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Pity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pity/) [Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) ## Related quotes > [“My first emotions had been those of pure melancholy and sincerest pity; but just in proportion as the forlornness of Bartleby grew and grew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/my-rst-emotions-had-been-those-of-pure-melancholy-and-sincerest-pity/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [To a sensitive being, pity is not seldom pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/to-a-sensitive-being-pity-is-not-seldom-pain/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [You are not hopeless. 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For hardly have we mortals by long toilings extracted from this world's vast bulk its small but valuable sperm; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/yet-this-is-life-for-hardly-have-we-mortals-by-long-toilings/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [I never fancied broiling fowls; - though once broiled, judiciously buttered, and judgmatically salted and peppered, there is no one who will speak more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/i-never-fancied-broiling-fowls-though-once-broiled-judiciously/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [War should be carried on like a monsoon; one changeless determination of every particle towards the one unalterable aim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/war-should-be-carried-on-like-a-monsoon-one-changeless-determination/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Genius is full of trash.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/genius-is-full-of-trash/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) [Explore all 1,009 Herman Melville quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) ## More Empathy quotes > [I have a lot of empathy, and I think that's where mothering starts. 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If you don't enter that world, hold your breath with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azar-nafisi/a-novel-is-not-an-allegory-it-is-a-sensual-experience-of-another/) [Azar Nafisi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azar-nafisi/) > [Empathic listening takes time, but it doesn't take anywhere near as much time as it takes to back up and correct misunderstandings when you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/empathic-listening-takes-time-but-it-doesn-t-take-anywhere-near-as/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [I try to treat every job with the exact same level of respect. 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