Compassion Quote by William Blake
““Pity would be no more If we did not make somebody Poor; And Mercy no more could be If all were as happy as we. And mutual fear brings peace, Till the selfish loves increase: Then Cruelty knits a snare And spreads his baits with care. He sits down with holy fears And waters the ground with tears: Then Humility takes its root Underneath his foot. Soon spreads the dismal shade Of Mystery over his head, And the Catterpiller and Fly Feed on the Mystery. And it bears the fruit of Deceit, Ruddy and sweet to eat, And the Raven his nest has made In its thickest shade. The Gods of the earth and sea Sought thro' Nature to find this Tree, But their search was all in vain: There grows one in the Human Brain.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Human Brain, William Blake, 1794
The poem suggests that without poverty and suffering, concepts and humility would not exist, and that human consciousness is a complex source of both good and evil.
In simple terms: Without hardship, compassion and humility would fade.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the role of struggle in moral growth.
Themes
suffering
compassion
humility
human nature
Mood
thoughtful
somber
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- social justice work
- personal hardship
- ethical debates
- mental health counseling
Key Concepts
philosophy
poetry
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What lessons arise from personal suffering?
- Can compassion exist without hardship?
A Different Perspective
Idealizing a world without pain ignores its role in moral development.
