Compassion Quote by Joseph Addison
““When I look upon the tombs of the great, every emotion of envy dies in me; when I read the epitaphs of the beautiful, every inordinate desire goes out; when I meet with the grief of parents upon a tombstone, my heart melts with compassion; when I see the tomb of the parents themselves, I consider the vanity of grieving for those whom we must quickly follow;””
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Spectator", No. 254, 1712
Contemplating tombs reminds him that envy, desire, and grief fade, revealing compassion and the futility of mourning.
In simple terms: Seeing tombs teaches compassion and the emptiness of grief.
Key Takeaway
Embrace compassion and accept life's transience.
Themes
mortality
compassion
vanity
grief
Mood
somber
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- visiting cemeteries
- writing about loss
- teaching about mortality
- personal meditation
Key Concepts
philosophy
humility
reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing mortality affect your priorities?
- What role does compassion play in grief?
A Different Perspective
Focusing on mortality can cause melancholy.
