--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's not a very nice thing to not have…" description: "\"It's not a very nice thing to not have empathy. I would like to have empathy. In the past I haven't been very empathetic with other people.\" — Spencer ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fc/spencer-matthews-6329_empathy_it-s-not-a-very-nice-thing-to-not-have-e_35289.jpg" --- # It's not a very nice thing to not have empathy. I would… ![“It's not a very nice thing to not have empathy. I would like to have empathy. In the past I haven't been very empathetic with other people.” quote by Spencer Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fc/spencer-matthews-6329_empathy_it-s-not-a-very-nice-thing-to-not-have-e_35289.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fc/spencer-matthews-6329_empathy_it-s-not-a-very-nice-thing-to-not-have-e_35289.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fc/spencer-matthews-6329_empathy_it-s-not-a-very-nice-thing-to-not-have-e_35289.jpg) > “It's not a very nice thing to not have empathy. I would like to have empathy. In the past I haven't been very empathetic with other people.” [Spencer Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-matthews/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acknowledges a personal shortcoming in empathy and expresses a desire to become more empathetic toward others. **In simple terms:** Self‑reflection on empathy deficit Key Takeaway Desire to improve emotional understanding Themes self‑awareness emotional intelligence personal growth humility Mood reflective hopeful Type personal confession self‑improvement statement When to use this quote - interpersonal conflicts - team collaboration - family discussions - customer service Key Concepts empathy self‑critique Practical Applications - empathy training workshops - coaching for active listening Questions to Reflect On - What steps can I take to develop empathy? - How does my lack of empathy affect my relationships? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Empathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empathy/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I believe that if you can discover something of the truth of a person, then you will start to understand, and to understand is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-friend/i-believe-that-if-you-can-discover-something-of-the-truth-of-a-person/) [Rupert Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-friend/) > [“Even though I didn't think I'd like empathy it kind of creeps up on you and makes you feel all warm and glowy inside.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-erskine/even-though-i-didn-t-think-i-d-like-empathy-it-kind-of-creeps-up-on/) [Kathryn Erskine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-erskine/) > [It's got to do with putting yourself in other people's shoes and seeing how far you can come to truly understand them. I like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-bale/it-s-got-to-do-with-putting-yourself-in-other-people-s-shoes-and/) [Christian Bale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-bale/) > [This precious thing of empathy and love and understanding is something we have to hold and appreciate and protect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamasi-washington/this-precious-thing-of-empathy-and-love-and-understanding-is/) [Kamasi Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamasi-washington/) > [“For one thing, empathy can subvert human well-being when it runs afoul of a more fundamental principle, fairness. Batson found that when people empathized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/for-one-thing-empathy-can-subvert-human-well-being-when-it-runs-afoul/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [“Empathy of any kind is reactionary and there can never be pure empathy. Empathy is a relative thing. You should not have empathy; just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/empathy-of-any-kind-is-reactionary-and-there-can-never-be-pure/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [“So that’s why I’m such a big fan of storytelling. I think the most important thing is empathy. And it’s less about ‘those people’.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanette-walls/so-that-s-why-i-m-such-a-big-fan-of-storytelling-i-think-the-most/) Jeanette Walls > [I like people who possess either deep mastery or deep empathy, but not as much as I like those who possess both.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-manguso/i-like-people-who-possess-either-deep-mastery-or-deep-empathy-but-not/) [Sarah Manguso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-manguso/) > [Trying to observe the slow shift from self-centeredness to empathy is like trying to watch grass grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/trying-to-observe-the-slow-shift-from-self-centeredness-to-empathy-is/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Empathy is like a universal solvent. Any problem immersed in empathy becomes soluble. It is effective as a way of anticipating and resolving interpersonal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-baron-cohen/empathy-is-like-a-universal-solvent-any-problem-immersed-in-empathy/) [Simon Baron-Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-baron-cohen/) > [“Her empathy was like a double-edged razor that allowed her to experience the nethermost of human joys and sorrows. The best and worst of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-anderson/her-empathy-was-like-a-double-edged-razor-that-allowed-her-to/) [C.J. Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-anderson/) > [Empathy is like giving someone a psychological hug.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-j/empathy-is-like-giving-someone-a-psychological-hug/) Lawrence J > [If the only people we are able to extend empathy to are those who are like us, who come from the same country we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-smith/if-the-only-people-we-are-able-to-extend-empathy-to-are-those-who-are/) [Clint Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-smith/) > [“Empathy. Most people think empathy is like understanding someone else or relating to them. But it's more than that. Real empathy is the actual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-hill/empathy-most-people-think-empathy-is-like-understanding-someone-else/) [Nathan Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-hill/) > [Empathy is like a universal solvent. Any problem immersed in empathy becomes soluble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-baron-cohen/empathy-is-like-a-universal-solvent-any-problem-immersed-in-empathy-2/) [Simon Baron-Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-baron-cohen/) ## More by Spencer Matthews > [I've never been the kind of guy who finds attention irritating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-matthews/i-ve-never-been-the-kind-of-guy-who-finds-attention-irritating/) [Spencer Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-matthews/) > [If you're an adult who takes 'Made in Chelsea' seriously, I suggest you take a look at yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-matthews/if-you-re-an-adult-who-takes-made-in-chelsea-seriously-i-suggest-you/) [Spencer Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-matthews/) > [You hear so much awful stuff before you have a kid, like you'll never sleep again, we always knew it would be utter garbage.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-matthews/you-hear-so-much-awful-stuff-before-you-have-a-kid-like-you-ll-never/) [Spencer Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-matthews/) > [I think the beauty of the concept of 'The Bachelor' is that it will never be the same thing twice. I think it will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-matthews/i-think-the-beauty-of-the-concept-of-the-bachelor-is-that-it-will/) [Spencer Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-matthews/) > [I used to work in hotels and have very fond memories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-matthews/i-used-to-work-in-hotels-and-have-very-fond-memories/) [Spencer Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-matthews/) > [Being the way I used to be didn't really fit the family profile. I was always loved but if, say, Dad had an interesting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-matthews/being-the-way-i-used-to-be-didn-t-really-fit-the-family-profile-i-was/) [Spencer Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-matthews/) > [We would love tons more kids. If they are all as good as Theodore we would like as many as we can have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-matthews/we-would-love-tons-more-kids-if-they-are-all-as-good-as-theodore-we/) [Spencer Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-matthews/) > [I wasn't drinking to get drunk. It's social drinking, so what's the point? It's empty calories, you're poisoning yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-matthews/i-wasn-t-drinking-to-get-drunk-it-s-social-drinking-so-what-s-the/) [Spencer Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-matthews/) > [I had a bit of a lazy streak to me, I had high opinions of myself without any real grounding reason to, I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-matthews/i-had-a-bit-of-a-lazy-streak-to-me-i-had-high-opinions-of-myself/) [Spencer Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-matthews/) > [I watch a lot of Disney films and whenever one of my little nieces is round I'll slap on 'Cinderella' or 'Hercules' and use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-matthews/i-watch-a-lot-of-disney-films-and-whenever-one-of-my-little-nieces-is/) [Spencer Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-matthews/) > [My relationship in the past with alcohol has been both good fun and unhealthy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-matthews/my-relationship-in-the-past-with-alcohol-has-been-both-good-fun-and/) [Spencer Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-matthews/) > [I just think Vogue is the most exceptional mother - and I'm not just saying that because she can hear me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-matthews/i-just-think-vogue-is-the-most-exceptional-mother-and-i-m-not-just/) [Spencer Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-matthews/) > [In the back of my mind for many years, I had always felt that my relationship with alcohol, although seemingly harmless was unhealthy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-matthews/in-the-back-of-my-mind-for-many-years-i-had-always-felt-that-my/) [Spencer Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-matthews/) > [I always cry when Mufasa dies in 'The Lion King.' I just can't handle it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-matthews/i-always-cry-when-mufasa-dies-in-the-lion-king-i-just-can-t-handle-it/) [Spencer Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-matthews/) > [I feel as though going into middle age really suits me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-matthews/i-feel-as-though-going-into-middle-age-really-suits-me/) [Spencer Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-matthews/) [Explore all 99 Spencer Matthews quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-matthews/) ## 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's not a very nice thing to not have empathy. I would like to have empathy. 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