Affection Quote by Hugh Blair
“Compassion is an emotion of which we ought never to be ashamed. Graceful, particularly in youth, is the tear of sympathy, and the heart that melts at the tale of woe. We should not permit ease and indulgence to contract our affections, and wrap us up in a selfish enjoyment; but we should accustom ourselves to think of the distresses of human, life, of the solitary cottage; the dying parent, and the weeping orphan. Nor ought we ever to sport with pain and distress in any of our amusements, or treat even the meanest insect with wanton cruelty.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Nature of Compassion” by Hugh Blair, 1765
Compassion should be a constant, unselfish concern for others' suffering, not dulled by comfort or selfish pleasure.
In simple terms: Feel empathy, avoid selfishness.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate genuine empathy.
Themes
compassion
empathy
humility
Mood
thoughtful
empathetic
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- charity work
- family care
- community service
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What suffering do you ignore?
- How can you practice empathy daily?
A Different Perspective
Compassion may be limited by personal bias.
![“It took the love of a good man [to heal]. When I was reverting back into my, let's say, perversions, he would say: 'Let's go get an ice cream. I am not going to enable you. If you can only come as a wanton woman for hire, because you feel dirty and shamed, then no. Women are goddesses.' And I know…” quote by Tori Amos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f5f/tori-amos-679_believe_it-took-the-love-of-a-good-man-to-heal-w_316129.jpg)
