Change of heart Quote by Philip Roth
““This kindly unjudging judgment of the Swede could well have been a new development in Jerry, compassion a few hours old. That can happen when people die--the argument with them drops away and people so flawed while they were drawing breath that at times they were all but unbearable now assert themselves in the most appealing way, and what was least to your liking the day before yesterday becomes in the limousine behind the hearse a cause not only for sympathetic amusement but for admiration. In which estimate lies the greater reality--the uncharitable one permitted us before the funeral, forged, without any claptrap, in the skirmish of daily life, or the one that suffuses us with sadness at the family gathering afterward--this even an outsider can't judge. The sight of a coffin can effect a great change of heart--all at once you find you are not so disappointed in the person who is dead--but what the sight of a coffin does for a mind in its search for the truth, this I don't profess to know.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: American Pastoral by Philip Roth, 1997
The death of a loved one can shift our perception, turning previous judgments into empathy or admiration, and reveal deeper truths about human frailty and compassion.
In simple terms: Death changes how we view people, often softening harsh judgments.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how loss can reshape your perspective.
Themes
mortality
empathy
judgment
reflection
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
philosophical
literary
emotional
When to use this quote
- family gatherings
- funeral rites
- personal introspection
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
human nature
grief
cognitive shift
Questions to Reflect On
- How does grief alter your judgments of the living?
- Can empathy persist after the initial emotional surge?
A Different Perspective
The shift may be temporary and influenced by social expectations rather than genuine insight.
