Books Quote by Susan Sontag
““Literature can train, and exercise, our ability to weep for those who are not us or ours. Who would we be if we could not sympathize with those who are not us or ours? Who would we be if we could not forget ourselves, at least some of the time? Who would we be if we could not learn? Forgive? Become something other than we are?””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “On Photography” by Susan Sontag, 1977
Literature expands empathy, allowing us to feel for strangers, forget self‑interest, and grow morally.
In simple terms: Reading builds empathy and self‑reflection.
Key Takeaway
Read to broaden compassion.
Themes
empathy
self‑reflection
growth
morality
Mood
thoughtful
inspired
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- education
- therapy
- community building
- personal development
Key Concepts
literary criticism
psychology
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does reading change your view of others?
- Can literature truly bridge cultural gaps?
A Different Perspective
Empathy can be limited by personal bias or cultural barriers.
![“Anthropology has always struggled with an intense, fascinated repulsion towards its subject… [The anthropologist] submits himself to the exotic to confirm his own inner alienation as an urban intellectual.” quote by Susan Sontag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fe1/susan-sontag-332_alienation_anthropology-has-always-struggled-with-a_15322.jpg)
