Childhood-suffering Quote by Mary Lawson
““You see the suffering of children all the time nowadays. Wars and famines are played out before us in our living rooms, and almost every week there are pictures of children who have been through unimaginable loss and horror. Mostly they look very calm. You see them looking into the camera, directly at the lens, and knowing what they have been through you expect to see terror or grief in their eyes, yet so often there’s no visible emotion at all. They look so blank it would be easy to imagine that they weren’t feeling much. And though I do not for a moment equate what I went through with the suffering of those children, I do remember feeling as they look. I remember Matt talking to me--- others as well, but mostly Matt--- and I remember the enormous effort required even to hear what he said. I was so swamped by unmanageable emotions that I couldn’t feel a thing. It was like being at the bottom of the sea.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New York Times, 2023
The quote describes how extreme trauma can numb emotional response, making suffering appear invisible despite deep inner turmoil.
In simple terms: Trauma can mask visible emotion, leaving inner pain hidden.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that calm appearances may hide deep suffering.
Themes
trauma
empathy
visibility
psychology
children
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
observational
empathic
When to use this quote
- humanitarian aid
- mental health support
- media coverage of crises
- personal counseling
Key Concepts
emotional numbness
psychic overload
coping mechanisms
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we better support those whose pain is not outwardly visible?
- What signs indicate hidden trauma?
A Different Perspective
Assuming calm equals lack of feeling can lead to misunderstanding.
![“Somebody said to me the other day, 'You know, it's really senseless, what you're doing. There's always been suffering, there will always be suffering, and you're just prolonging the suffering of these children [by rescuing them].' My answer is, 'Okay, then, let's start with your grandchild. Don't…” quote by Audrey Hepburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1b3/audrey-hepburn-1706_accidents_somebody-said-to-me-the-other-day-you-kn_1005458.jpg)
