Compassion Quote by Terry Pratchett
““YOU TRIED TO WARN HIM, he said, removing Binky’s nose-bag. “Yes, sir. Sorry.” YOU CANNOT INTERFERE WITH FATE. WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE WHO SHOULD LIVE AND WHO SHOULD DIE? Death watched Mort’s expression carefully. ONLY THE GODS ARE ALLOWED TO DO THAT, he added. TO TINKER WITH THE FATE OF EVEN ONE INDIVIDUAL COULD DESTROY THE WHOLE WORLD. DO YOU UNDERSTAND? Mort nodded miserably. “Are you going to send me home?” he said. Death reached down and swung him up behind the saddle. BECAUSE YOU SHOWED COMPASSION? NO. I MIGHT HAVE DONE IF YOU HAD SHOWN PLEASURE. BUT YOU MUST LEARN THE COMPASSION PROPER TO YOUR TRADE. “What’s that?” A SHARP EDGE.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Mort by Terry Pratchett, 1987
Interfering with fate is forbidden; compassion must be guided by duty, not personal desire.
In simple terms: Changing destiny is dangerous; compassion must follow rules.
Key Takeaway
Respect boundaries while acting with compassion.
Themes
fate
compassion
responsibility
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- legal decisions
- medical ethics
- war conduct
- personal dilemmas
Key Concepts
ethics
free will
mortality
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it right to intervene?
- How do you balance duty and empathy?
A Different Perspective
Compassion can be misused if not tempered by principle.
