Another man Quote by Irène Némirovsky
““How tolerable misfortunes appear when they affect only other people! How strong the human body seems when it's another man's flesh that bleeds! How easy it is to look death in the face when it's another man's turn!””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Suite Française, 2004
People often feel less empathy for others' suffering, seeing it as distant and abstract, which makes misfortune seem tolerable until it hits close to home.
In simple terms: We ignore others' pain until it affects us personally.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate empathy by imagining yourself in others' shoes.
Themes
empathy
human nature
psychology
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- media coverage
- health crises
- conflict zones
Key Concepts
existentialism
social distance
Questions to Reflect On
- How does proximity change your compassion?
- What habits can you develop to feel others' pain?
A Different Perspective
Empathy can be limited by personal bias and cultural differences.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
