Feeling Quote by Hilary Mantel
““...he holds the boy, feeling the jump of his pulses, his stiff sinews, the ropes of his muscles, and makes sounds of comfort, as he did to his children when they were small, or as he does to a spaniel whose tail has been trodden on. Comfort is often, he finds, imparted at the cost of a flea or two." 523””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Wolf Hall, 2009
A character comforts a child and a dog, noting that comfort often comes at a small, sometimes painful cost.
In simple terms: Comfort may require minor sacrifices.
Key Takeaway
Offer empathy even when it entails minor discomfort.
Themes
compassion
parenting
animal care
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- childcare
- veterinary care
- emotional support
- daily routines
Key Concepts
empathy
sacrifice
human-animal bond
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it acceptable to cause minor pain for comfort?
- How do we balance empathy with causing harm?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may obscure the seriousness of pain inflicted.
