Causing pain Quote by W. Somerset Maugham
““He realized that he was manacled hand and foot with fetters that were only more intolerable because they consisted of nothing more substantial than the dread of causing pain.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham, 1915
The fear of hurting others can become a self‑imposed restraint that feels more oppressive than any physical chain.
In simple terms: Fear of causing pain can imprison us.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and question irrational fears.
Themes
psychology
freedom
self‑control
Mood
anxious
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- leadership decisions
- ethical dilemmas
Key Concepts
existentialism
self‑fulfilling prophecy
Questions to Reflect On
- What fears are based on imagined consequences?
- How can you test whether a fear is realistic?
![“... every single act we do has the potential of causing pain, and every single thing we do has consequences that echo way beyond what we can imagine. It doesn't mean we shouldn't act. It means we should act carefully. Everything matters [p. 41].” quote by Sylvia Boorstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5ab/sylvia-boorstein-7241_causing-pain_every-single-act-we-do-has-the-potential_75621.jpg)
