--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was always empathetic with animals…" description: "\"I was always empathetic with animals. It's a terrible and self-involved point of view that we do something because someone else is exploitable.\" — Lily..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcb/lily-tomlin-3278_animal_i-was-always-empathetic-with-animals-it_2102101.png" --- # I was always empathetic with animals. It's a terrible and… ![“I was always empathetic with animals. It's a terrible and self-involved point of view that we do something because someone else is exploitable.” quote by Lily Tomlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcb/lily-tomlin-3278_animal_i-was-always-empathetic-with-animals-it_2102101.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcb/lily-tomlin-3278_animal_i-was-always-empathetic-with-animals-it_2102101.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcb/lily-tomlin-3278_animal_i-was-always-empathetic-with-animals-it_2102101.png) > “I was always empathetic with animals. It's a terrible and self-involved point of view that we do something because someone else is exploitable.” [Lily Tomlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-tomlin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Empathy toward animals can become self‑serving if motivated by personal gain rather than genuine concern. **In simple terms:** Caring for animals should be sincere, not selfish. Key Takeaway Check your motives before acting. Themes empathy ethics animal rights Mood reflective critical Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - activism - pet ownership - environmental advocacy Key Concepts self‑interest moral philosophy Questions to Reflect On - Why do you help animals? - Is your concern truly altruistic? A Different Perspective Motivation can be mixed; good intentions may mask ego. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Animals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals/) [Animals Terrible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals-terrible-4203904/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Empathetic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empathetic/) [Empathetic Animals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empathetic-animals-4203902/) [Involved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/involved/) [Point of view](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/point-of-view/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self Involved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-involved-250993/) [Terrible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrible/) [Views](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/views/) ## Related quotes > [My politics are just inclined to be empathetic and humanistic. 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He becomes uniquely human when he reaches out for the superfluous and extravagant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/when-grubbing-for-necessities-man-is-still-an-animal-he-becomes/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. 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