Bears Quote by Simone Weil
![“The same suffering is much harder to bear for a high motive than for a base one. The people [during World War II] who stood motionless, from one to eight in the morning, for the sake of having an egg, would have found it very difficult to do in order to save a human life.” quote by Simone Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/13c/simone-weil-544_bears_the-same-suffering-is-much-harder-to-bea_1340865.jpg)
“The same suffering is much harder to bear for a high motive than for a base one. The people [during World War II] who stood motionless, from one to eight in the morning, for the sake of having an egg, would have found it very difficult to do in order to save a human life.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Reflections on Suffering, Simone Weil, 1940s
A noble cause makes suffering feel more intense than a selfish one, because higher motives raise expectations and emotional stakes.
In simple terms: Higher motives intensify suffering.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that motive shapes pain perception.
Themes
ethics
motivation
human nature
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- wartime decisions
- personal sacrifice
- ethical dilemmas
- leadership challenges
Key Concepts
existentialism
moral psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your purpose affect your endurance?
- Can you find balance between duty and wellbeing?
A Different Perspective
Even noble motives can lead to burnout if not balanced with self‑care.
![“As you look back in history, we [the United States] have done wonderful things, the Marshal Plan is the most obvious. After World War II, we spent billions of dollars to rebuild Europe or at least part of Europe after the devastation of World War II. We did it out of charity, but we also did it to…” quote by Michael Beschloss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8f0/michael-beschloss-13530_billions_as-you-look-back-in-history-we-the-unite_55033.jpg)
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)
