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Evils Quote by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

“We pity in others only the those evils which we ourselves have experienced.” quote by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
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“We pity in others only the those evils which we ourselves have experienced.”

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

About This Quote

Source Book: Emile, 1762

We only sympathize with others' suffering that mirrors our own experiences.

In simple terms: Empathy is limited to personal experience.

Key Takeaway

Seek broader compassion beyond self‑experience.

Themes

empathy shared experience human nature

Mood

thoughtful compassionate

Type

philosophical psychological

When to use this quote

  • counseling
  • community building
  • conflict mediation
  • education

Key Concepts

psychology social cognition

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we expand empathy to unfamiliar suffering?
  • What role does imagination play in compassion?
A Different Perspective

People can learn empathy without direct experience.

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