--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is not a case we are treating; it is a…" description: "\"It is not a case we are treating; it is a living, palpitating, alas, too often suffering fellow creature.\" — John Brown" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e4/john-brown-15897_alas_it-is-not-a-case-we-are-treating-it-is-a_2561992.png" --- # It is not a case we are treating; it is a living… ![“It is not a case we are treating; it is a living, palpitating, alas, too often suffering fellow creature.” quote by John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e4/john-brown-15897_alas_it-is-not-a-case-we-are-treating-it-is-a_2561992.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e4/john-brown-15897_alas_it-is-not-a-case-we-are-treating-it-is-a_2561992.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e4/john-brown-15897_alas_it-is-not-a-case-we-are-treating-it-is-a_2561992.png) > “It is not a case we are treating; it is a living, palpitating, alas, too often suffering fellow creature.” [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We must see suffering individuals as living beings, not just cases, acknowledging their pain and humanity. **In simple terms:** See sufferers as people. Key Takeaway Treat others with empathy. Themes compassion humanity pain social justice empathy Mood urgent hopeful Type activist philosophical When to use this quote - healthcare - social services - community activism - policy making Key Concepts Ethics of care human rights moral philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How can we act on compassion? - What policies reduce suffering? A Different Perspective Empathy alone may not change systemic oppression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Nurse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nurse/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) ## Related quotes > [“Living in society, we must share the suffering of our fellow citizens and practice compassion and tolerance not only toward our loved ones but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama-xiv/living-in-society-we-must-share-the-suffering-of-our-fellow-citizens/) [Dalai Lama XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama-xiv/) > [“As we are a doomed race, chained to a sinking ship, as the whole thing is a bad joke, let us, at any rate,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/as-we-are-a-doomed-race-chained-to-a-sinking-ship-as-the-whole-thing/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [“One result of turning a blind eye to the horrors of the world, because you can stand only so much, is that you end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-fitoussi/one-result-of-turning-a-blind-eye-to-the-horrors-of-the-world-because/) Michele Fitoussi > [God will judge us, Mr. Harris, by--by what we did to relieve the suffering of our fellow human beings. I don't think God cares…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-verghese/god-will-judge-us-mr-harris-by-by-what-we-did-to-relieve-the/) [Abraham Verghese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-verghese/) > [Through this toilsome world, alas! Once and only once I pass; If a kindness I may show, If a good deed I may do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azgraybebly-josland/through-this-toilsome-world-alas-once-and-only-once-i-pass-if-a/) Azgraybebly Josland > [Alas! all music jars when the soul's out of tune.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-cervantes/alas-all-music-jars-when-the-soul-s-out-of-tune/) [Miguel de Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-cervantes/) > [The flesh is sad, alas, and I have read all the books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-phane-mallarm/the-flesh-is-sad-alas-and-i-have-read-all-the-books/) [Stephane Mallarme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-phane-mallarm/) > [Sensible Catholics have for generations been ignoring the views on contraception held by reactionary old men in the Vatican, but alas, since it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-c-grayling/sensible-catholics-have-for-generations-been-ignoring-the-views-on/) [A.C. Grayling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-c-grayling/) > [Alas, Postumus, the fleeting years slip by, nor will piety give any stay to wrinkles and pressing old age and untamable death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/alas-postumus-the-fleeting-years-slip-by-nor-will-piety-give-any-stay/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-pharcellus-church/yes-virginia-there-is-a-santa-claus-he-exists-as-certainly-as-love/) [Francis Pharcellus Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-pharcellus-church/) > [Removing prejudices is, alas! too often removing the boundary of a delightful near prospect in order to let in a shockingly extensive one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/removing-prejudices-is-alas-too-often-removing-the-boundary-of-a/) [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) > [Time, time - that is our greatest master! Alas, like Ugolino, time devours its own children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hector-berlioz/time-time-that-is-our-greatest-master-alas-like-ugolino-time-devours/) [Hector Berlioz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hector-berlioz/) > [Alas, you don't need monsters for monstrous deeds to be accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zygmunt-bauman/alas-you-don-t-need-monsters-for-monstrous-deeds-to-be-accomplished/) [Zygmunt Bauman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zygmunt-bauman/) > [We are all potentially such sick men. The sanest and best of us are of one clay with lunatics and prison-inmates. And whenever we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/we-are-all-potentially-such-sick-men-the-sanest-and-best-of-us-are-of/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [“Muchos de los ángeles de Dios no tienen alas...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-n-harris/muchos-de-los-ngeles-de-dios-no-tienen-alas/) [José N. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-n-harris/) ## More by John Brown > [Whereas, Slavery, throughout its entire existence in the United States is none other than a most barbarous, unprovoked, and unjustifiable War of one portion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/whereas-slavery-throughout-its-entire-existence-in-the-united-states/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [When I strike, the bees will begin to swarm, and I want you to help hive them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/when-i-strike-the-bees-will-begin-to-swarm-and-i-want-you-to-help/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [Be mild with the mild, shrewd with the crafty, confiding to the honest, rough to the ruffian, and a thunderbolt to the liar. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/be-mild-with-the-mild-shrewd-with-the-crafty-confiding-to-the-honest/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [“These men are all talk. What we need is action—action!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/these-men-are-all-talk-what-we-need-is-action-action/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [If it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life for the furtherance of the ends of justice, and mingle my blood further…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/if-it-is-deemed-necessary-that-i-should-forfeit-my-life-for-the/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [I am gaining in health slowly, and am quite cheerful in view of my approaching end, - being fully persuaded that I am worth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/i-am-gaining-in-health-slowly-and-am-quite-cheerful-in-view-of-my/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [I want you to understand that I respect the rights of the poorest and weakest of colored people, oppressed by the slave system, just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/i-want-you-to-understand-that-i-respect-the-rights-of-the-poorest-and/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [Caution, Sir! I am eternally tired of hearing that word caution. It is nothing but the word of cowardice!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/caution-sir-i-am-eternally-tired-of-hearing-that-word-caution-it-is/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [So far as I ever observed God's dealings with my soul, the flights of preachers sometimes entertained me, but it was Scripture expressions which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/so-far-as-i-ever-observed-god-s-dealings-with-my-soul-the-flights-of/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [Holiness does not consist in mystic speculations, enthusiastic fervours, or uncommanded austerities; it consists in thinking as God thinks, and willing as God wills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/holiness-does-not-consist-in-mystic-speculations-enthusiastic/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [Now let us thank th' eternal power, convinced That Heaven but tries our virtue by affliction: That oft the cloud that wraps the present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/now-let-us-thank-th-eternal-power-convinced-that-heaven-but-tries-our/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [I dont think the people of the slave states will ever consider the subject of slavery in its true light till some other argument…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/i-dont-think-the-people-of-the-slave-states-will-ever-consider-the/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [No man, with a man's heart in him, gets far on his way without some bitter, soul-searching disappointment. - Happy he who is brave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/no-man-with-a-man-s-heart-in-him-gets-far-on-his-way-without-some-2/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [There is a shrine in the temple of age, where lie forever embalmed the memories of such as have deserved well of their country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/there-is-a-shrine-in-the-temple-of-age-where-lie-forever-embalmed-the/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [The angels are ministering spirits; they are not governing spirits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/the-angels-are-ministering-spirits-they-are-not-governing-spirits/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) [Explore all 41 John Brown quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) ## More Alas quotes > [“Muchos de los ángeles de Dios no tienen alas...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-n-harris/muchos-de-los-ngeles-de-dios-no-tienen-alas/) [José N. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-n-harris/) > [We are all potentially such sick men. The sanest and best of us are of one clay with lunatics and prison-inmates. And whenever we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/we-are-all-potentially-such-sick-men-the-sanest-and-best-of-us-are-of/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [Alas, you don't need monsters for monstrous deeds to be accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zygmunt-bauman/alas-you-don-t-need-monsters-for-monstrous-deeds-to-be-accomplished/) [Zygmunt Bauman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zygmunt-bauman/) > [Time, time - that is our greatest master! Alas, like Ugolino, time devours its own children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hector-berlioz/time-time-that-is-our-greatest-master-alas-like-ugolino-time-devours/) [Hector Berlioz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hector-berlioz/) > [Removing prejudices is, alas! too often removing the boundary of a delightful near prospect in order to let in a shockingly extensive one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/removing-prejudices-is-alas-too-often-removing-the-boundary-of-a/) [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) > [Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-pharcellus-church/yes-virginia-there-is-a-santa-claus-he-exists-as-certainly-as-love/) [Francis Pharcellus Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-pharcellus-church/) > [Alas, Postumus, the fleeting years slip by, nor will piety give any stay to wrinkles and pressing old age and untamable death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/alas-postumus-the-fleeting-years-slip-by-nor-will-piety-give-any-stay/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Sensible Catholics have for generations been ignoring the views on contraception held by reactionary old men in the Vatican, but alas, since it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-c-grayling/sensible-catholics-have-for-generations-been-ignoring-the-views-on/) [A.C. Grayling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-c-grayling/) > [The flesh is sad, alas, and I have read all the books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-phane-mallarm/the-flesh-is-sad-alas-and-i-have-read-all-the-books/) [Stephane Mallarme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-phane-mallarm/) > [Alas! all music jars when the soul's out of tune.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-cervantes/alas-all-music-jars-when-the-soul-s-out-of-tune/) [Miguel de Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-cervantes/) > [In spite of the honestest efforts to annihilate my I-ity, or merge it in what the world doubtless considers my better half, I still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-welsh-carlyle/in-spite-of-the-honestest-efforts-to-annihilate-my-i-ity-or-merge-it/) [Jane Welsh Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-welsh-carlyle/) > [The dumpling is indeed of more ancient institution, and of foreign origin; but alas, what were those dumplings? Nothing but a few lentils sodden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/the-dumpling-is-indeed-of-more-ancient-institution-and-of-foreign/) [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) > [“World is so beautiful, but alas! There are so many assholes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/world-is-so-beautiful-but-alas-there-are-so-many-assholes/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [Ideally a painter (and, generally, an artist) should not become conscious of his insights: without taking the detour through his reflective processes, and incomprehensibly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainer-maria-rilke/ideally-a-painter-and-generally-an-artist-should-not-become-conscious/) [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainer-maria-rilke/) > [Alas! we makeA ladder of our thoughts, where angels step,But sleep ourselves at the foot: our high resolvesLook down upon our slumbering acts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/letitia-elizabeth-landon/alas-we-makea-ladder-of-our-thoughts-where-angels-step-but-sleep/) [Letitia Elizabeth Landon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/letitia-elizabeth-landon/) Browse all 453 Alas quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is not a case we are treating; it is a living, palpitating, alas, too often suffering fellow creature.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Brown" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/it-is-not-a-case-we-are-treating-it-is-a-living-palpitating-alas-too/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alas" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/it-is-not-a-case-we-are-treating-it-is-a-living-palpitating-alas-too/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e4/john-brown-15897_alas_it-is-not-a-case-we-are-treating-it-is-a_2561992.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e4/john-brown-15897_alas_it-is-not-a-case-we-are-treating-it-is-a_2561992.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e4/john-brown-15897_alas_it-is-not-a-case-we-are-treating-it-is-a_2561992.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is not a case we are treating; it is a living, palpitating, alas, too often suffering fellow creature.” — John Brown", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Brown", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is not a case we...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/it-is-not-a-case-we-are-treating-it-is-a-living-palpitating-alas-too/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/it-is-not-a-case-we-are-treating-it-is-a-living-palpitating-alas-too/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```