Pity Reverence Quote by Susan Sonntag
““Some lives are exemplary, others not; and of exemplary lives, there are those which invite us to imitate them, and those which we regard from a distance with a mixture of revulsion, pity, and reverence.””
About This Quote
Exemplary lives inspire imitation, while others provoke mixed feelings of revulsion, pity, and reverence from a distance.
In simple terms: Some lives inspire, others repel.
Key Takeaway
Discern which role models to emulate.
Themes
ethics
inspiration
judgment
empathy
reverence
Mood
thoughtful
contemplative
Type
statement
analysis
When to use this quote
- education
- leadership
- media analysis
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
philosophy
social psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a life exemplary?
- How to handle mixed emotions toward others?
A Different Perspective
Not all exemplary lives are accessible to emulate.