--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Probably Providence has implanted…" description: "\"Probably Providence has implanted peevishness and ill-temper in sick and old persons, in compassion to the friends or relations who are to survive; as ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b2e/laurence-sterne-1405_compassion_probably-providence-has-implanted-peevis_1388101.jpg" --- # Probably Providence has implanted peevishness and… ![“Probably Providence has implanted peevishness and ill-temper in sick and old persons, in compassion to the friends or relations who are to survive; as it must naturally lessen the concern they might otherwise feel for their loss.” quote by Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b2e/laurence-sterne-1405_compassion_probably-providence-has-implanted-peevis_1388101.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b2e/laurence-sterne-1405_compassion_probably-providence-has-implanted-peevis_1388101.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b2e/laurence-sterne-1405_compassion_probably-providence-has-implanted-peevis_1388101.jpg) > “Probably Providence has implanted peevishness and ill-temper in sick and old persons, in compassion to the friends or relations who are to survive; as it must naturally lessen the concern they might otherwise feel for their loss.” [Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-sterne/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Old age can breed irritability as a coping mechanism to lessen empathy for others’ suffering. **In simple terms:** Elderly may act grumpy to protect themselves from feeling too much grief. Key Takeaway Recognize irritability as a shield, not a flaw. Themes aging empathy coping psychology Mood reflective empathetic Type observational psychological When to use this quote - caregiver interactions - family gatherings - hospital visits - end‑of‑life discussions Key Concepts defense mechanisms emotional regulation Questions to Reflect On - How does irritability serve self‑protection? - Can we respond with patience rather than judgment? A Different Perspective May overlook genuine needs behind the irritability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Compassion Friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion-friends-2587636/) [Concern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concern/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Ill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ill/) [Lessen Concern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lessen-concern-4829709/) [Loss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loss/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [Old person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-person/) [Peevishness Ill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peevishness-ill-4829710/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Persons Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons-compassion-4829708/) [Providence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/providence/) [Relation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relation/) [Resignation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resignation/) [Sick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sick/) [Temper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temper/) ## Related quotes > [“Elle, you have a pure heart. 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Source inexhausted of all that's precious in our joys, or costly in our sorrows! Eternal fountain of our feelings! 'tis here I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-sterne/dear-sensibility-source-inexhausted-of-all-that-s-precious-in-our/) [Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-sterne/) > [The best friends in the world may differ sometimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-sterne/the-best-friends-in-the-world-may-differ-sometimes/) [Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-sterne/) > [Beauty has so many charms, one knows not how to speak against it; and when it happens that a graceful figure is the habitation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-sterne/beauty-has-so-many-charms-one-knows-not-how-to-speak-against-it-and/) [Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-sterne/) > [The best hearts are ever the bravest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-sterne/the-best-hearts-are-ever-the-bravest/) [Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-sterne/) > [Hail! the small courtesies of life, for smooth do ye make the road of it, like grace and beauty, which beget inclinations to love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-sterne/hail-the-small-courtesies-of-life-for-smooth-do-ye-make-the-road-of/) [Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-sterne/) > [There are a thousand unnoticed openings, continued my father, which let penetrating eye at once into a man's soul; and I maintain it, added…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-sterne/there-are-a-thousand-unnoticed-openings-continued-my-father-which-let/) [Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-sterne/) > [“Button-holes! there is something lively in the very idea of 'em - and trust me, when I get amongst 'em - you gentry with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-sterne/button-holes-there-is-something-lively-in-the-very-idea-of-em-and/) [Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-sterne/) [Explore all 244 Laurence Sterne quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-sterne/) ## More Compassion quotes > [Half the misery of human life might be extinguished if men would alleviate the general curse they lie under by mutual offices of compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/half-the-misery-of-human-life-might-be-extinguished-if-men-would/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“I fight with love and kindness as my weapons and compassion as my defense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/i-fight-with-love-and-kindness-as-my-weapons-and-compassion-as-my/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. 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