Weakness Quote by Thomas Hardy
““Though Farmer Troutham had just hurt him, he was a boy who could not himself bear to hurt anything. He had never brought home a nest of young birds without lying awake in misery half the night after, and often reinstating them and the nest in their original place the next morning. He could scarcely bear to see trees cut down or lopped, from a fancy that it hurt them; and late pruning, when the sap was up and the tree bled profusely, had been a positive grief to him in his infancy. This weakness of character, as it may be called, suggested that he was the sort of man who was born to ache a good deal before the fall of the curtain upon his unnecessary life should signify that all was well with him again. He carefully picked his way on tiptoe among the earthworms, without killing a single one.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy, 1891
A compassionate boy feels deep empathy for all living things, avoiding harm even in small acts, reflecting a sensitive nature that may cause personal suffering.
In simple terms: He cares deeply about all life, avoiding harm.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate empathy without self‑destruction.
Themes
empathy
compassion
innocence
environmentalism
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
ethical
literary
When to use this quote
- childhood
- environmental stewardship
- personal growth
- ethical choices
Key Concepts
moral sensitivity
ethical dilemma
Questions to Reflect On
- How can one balance empathy with self‑care?
- When does compassion become self‑harm?
A Different Perspective
His extreme sensitivity may lead to paralysis or burnout.
