--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is people who go through suffering…" description: "\"It is people who go through suffering that have an empathy for the suffering of others.\" — Mary Robinson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/712/mary-robinson-4639_empathy_it-is-people-who-go-through-suffering-th_2411040.jpg" --- # It is people who go through suffering that have an empathy… ![“It is people who go through suffering that have an empathy for the suffering of others.” quote by Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/712/mary-robinson-4639_empathy_it-is-people-who-go-through-suffering-th_2411040.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/712/mary-robinson-4639_empathy_it-is-people-who-go-through-suffering-th_2411040.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/712/mary-robinson-4639_empathy_it-is-people-who-go-through-suffering-th_2411040.jpg) > “It is people who go through suffering that have an empathy for the suffering of others.” [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Those who have endured hardship develop a deeper ability to understand others' pain. **In simple terms:** Suffering builds empathy for others. Key Takeaway Cultivate compassion through shared hardship. Themes empathy compassion shared experience Mood reflective empathetic Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - volunteering - counseling - conflict resolution - support groups - mental health work Key Concepts psychology human resilience Questions to Reflect On - How has your own pain shaped your care for others? - Can empathy be taught without personal suffering? A Different Perspective Empathy may be limited if personal suffering is not reflected upon. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Empathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empathy/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Pity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pity/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Suffering of others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering-of-others/) ## Related quotes > [Many people today in the developed countries are so far removed from poverty and suffering and starvation that they lack empathy for the sufferings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/many-people-today-in-the-developed-countries-are-so-far-removed-from/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [“It's not a question we ask ourselves enough, I think; as a country, we seem to be suffering from an empathy deficit. We wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/it-s-not-a-question-we-ask-ourselves-enough-i-think-as-a-country-we/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [“cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings—even those regarded as enemies.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-armstrong/cultivate-an-informed-empathy-with-the-suffering-of-all-human-beings/) [Karen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-armstrong/) > [No true search for enlightenment ignores the suffering of other sentient beings. Ever. We simply need to create a way to address that suffering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/no-true-search-for-enlightenment-ignores-the-suffering-of-other/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Any man filled with empathy is capable of gaining valuable insights on the human condition through the suffering of others. You do not need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/any-man-filled-with-empathy-is-capable-of-gaining-valuable-insights/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [The essence of compassion is a desire to alleviate the suffering of others and to promote their well-being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-essence-of-compassion-is-a-desire-to-alleviate-the-suffering-of/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [He who is indifferent to the suffering of others is a traitor to that which is truly human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/he-who-is-indifferent-to-the-suffering-of-others-is-a-traitor-to-that/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/have-compassion-for-all-beings-rich-and-poor-alike-each-has-their/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [Before my eyes are many miserable scenes, the suffering of others and myself forces my hands to move. I become a machine for writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ba-jin/before-my-eyes-are-many-miserable-scenes-the-suffering-of-others-and/) [Ba Jin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ba-jin/) > [We should try our best to relieve the suffering of others in whatever way we can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mata-amritanandamayi/we-should-try-our-best-to-relieve-the-suffering-of-others-in-whatever/) [Mata Amritanandamayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mata-amritanandamayi/) > [ When you see those in healthcare who don't get this burn-out, they are very motherly, fatherly, or loving and attentive with the patients. \[These\]… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthieu-ricard/when-you-see-those-in-healthcare-who-don-t-get-this-burn-out-they-are/) [Matthieu Ricard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthieu-ricard/) > [We have become terribly vulnerable, not because we suffer but because we have separated ourselves from each other. A patient once told me that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-naomi-remen/we-have-become-terribly-vulnerable-not-because-we-suffer-but-because/) [Rachel Naomi Remen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-naomi-remen/) > [Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/be-the-living-expression-of-god-s-kindness-kindness-in-your-face/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [I early conceived a liking for, and sought every opportunity to relieve the sufferings of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-lee-crumpler/i-early-conceived-a-liking-for-and-sought-every-opportunity-to/) Rebecca Lee Crumpler > [One's own troubles can be borne with fortitude; only a monster of indifference can bear the sufferings of others with fortitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-ertz/one-s-own-troubles-can-be-borne-with-fortitude-only-a-monster-of/) [Susan Ertz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-ertz/) ## More by Mary Robinson > [The governments are seen to be less effective than they used to be. The private sector is perceived as being so much more efficient,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/the-governments-are-seen-to-be-less-effective-than-they-used-to-be/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [If the Chinese business community takes the Declaration of Human Rights, core labor standards, and environmental standards seriously, the government of China will take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/if-the-chinese-business-community-takes-the-declaration-of-human/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [Every government has signed up to a voluntary legal commitment under at least one of the international covenants and conventions based on the Universal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/every-government-has-signed-up-to-a-voluntary-legal-commitment-under/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [Since 9/11 the United States has been followed by countries with bad records, such as the former Soviet Union countries, into erosions of human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/since-9-11-the-united-states-has-been-followed-by-countries-with-bad/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [I'm not interested in scoring points or being over-critical of the US administration. I want to find the entry points to try and get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/i-m-not-interested-in-scoring-points-or-being-over-critical-of-the-us/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [Tackling the issue of climate change presents us with an inflection point in human history - a climate justice revolution that separates development from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/tackling-the-issue-of-climate-change-presents-us-with-an-inflection/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [Look, you are interested in trying to make sure that governments keep a clean environment, have regard for the lifestyles of indigenous peoples, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/look-you-are-interested-in-trying-to-make-sure-that-governments-keep/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [ I felt when I was elected that the most important task on this island \[Ireland\] was to extend the hand of friendship right across… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/i-felt-when-i-was-elected-that-the-most-important-task-on-this-island/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [We now know that climate change is a driver of migration, and is expected to increase the displacement of populations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/we-now-know-that-climate-change-is-a-driver-of-migration-and-is/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [I was elected by the women of Ireland, who instead of rocking the cradle, rocked the system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/i-was-elected-by-the-women-of-ireland-who-instead-of-rocking-the/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [There are numerous issues that governments used to deal with that they now no longer deal with to the same extent: Prisons have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/there-are-numerous-issues-that-governments-used-to-deal-with-that/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [As Elders, we are fully committed to the principle that all human beings are of equal worth. You will see that we highlight equality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/as-elders-we-are-fully-committed-to-the-principle-that-all-human/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [I agree with those who argue that it is possible to distil from the religions of the world their common values and relevance. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/i-agree-with-those-who-argue-that-it-is-possible-to-distil-from-the/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [Freedom from discrimination for women, ensuring that female children can learn to read, these are human needs for half the human race, not western…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/freedom-from-discrimination-for-women-ensuring-that-female-children/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [All countries are particular and no models are perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/all-countries-are-particular-and-no-models-are-perfect/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) [Explore all 108 Mary Robinson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) ## More Empathy quotes > [I have a lot of empathy, and I think that's where mothering starts. You are there to empathise and facilitate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viv-albertine/i-have-a-lot-of-empathy-and-i-think-that-s-where-mothering-starts-you/) [Viv Albertine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viv-albertine/) > [When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-you-need-empathy-you-cannot-give-empathy/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Cinematography speaks to everything that women do inherently well: It's multitasking, it's empathy, and it's channeling visuals into human emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-morrison/cinematography-speaks-to-everything-that-women-do-inherently-well-it/) [Rachel Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-morrison/) > [“God has a way of picking a “nobody” and turning their world upside down, in order to create a “somebody” that will remove the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/god-has-a-way-of-picking-a-nobody-and-turning-their-world-upside-down/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [“Understanding breeds empathy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/understanding-breeds-empathy/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [ That is another theme in the book \[Dreams from My Father\]. How do we exercise more empathy in our public discourse? How do we… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/that-is-another-theme-in-the-book-dreams-from-my-father-how-do-we/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Making a movie is about following characters and embarking on an adventure with them, seeing their reactions, and seeing what they do, having empathy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franck-khalfoun/making-a-movie-is-about-following-characters-and-embarking-on-an/) Franck Khalfoun > [“A novel is not an allegory...it is a sensual experience of another world. If you don't enter that world, hold your breath with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azar-nafisi/a-novel-is-not-an-allegory-it-is-a-sensual-experience-of-another/) [Azar Nafisi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azar-nafisi/) > [Empathic listening takes time, but it doesn't take anywhere near as much time as it takes to back up and correct misunderstandings when you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/empathic-listening-takes-time-but-it-doesn-t-take-anywhere-near-as/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [I try to treat every job with the exact same level of respect. When I go into it, it doesn't matter what the budget…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaya-scodelario/i-try-to-treat-every-job-with-the-exact-same-level-of-respect-when-i/) [Kaya Scodelario](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaya-scodelario/) > [“CWC (Church Women Concerned) enabled us as women in that part of South Africa, to see ourselves as ordinary citizens who found themselves in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sindiwe-magona/cwc-church-women-concerned-enabled-us-as-women-in-that-part-of-south/) Sindiwe Magona > [Ultimately, my character is defined by the quality of my sensitivity to other people. I exist in equilibrium. I am here to the degree…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/ultimately-my-character-is-defined-by-the-quality-of-my-sensitivity/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [I began to use my sensitivity. 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I need advice from Elizabeth Bennett.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melina-marchetta/i-need-voices-of-reason-and-of-hysteria-and-of-empathy-i-need-to-have/) [Melina Marchetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melina-marchetta/) [Browse all 2,480 Empathy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empathy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is people who go through suffering that have an empathy for the suffering of others.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mary Robinson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/it-is-people-who-go-through-suffering-that-have-an-empathy-for-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Empathy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/it-is-people-who-go-through-suffering-that-have-an-empathy-for-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/712/mary-robinson-4639_empathy_it-is-people-who-go-through-suffering-th_2411040.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/712/mary-robinson-4639_empathy_it-is-people-who-go-through-suffering-th_2411040.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/712/mary-robinson-4639_empathy_it-is-people-who-go-through-suffering-th_2411040.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is people who go through suffering that have an empathy for the suffering of others.” — Mary Robinson", "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": "Mary Robinson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is people who go through...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/it-is-people-who-go-through-suffering-that-have-an-empathy-for-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/it-is-people-who-go-through-suffering-that-have-an-empathy-for-the/#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 } } ] } ```