Concern Quote by William Hazlitt
“The smallest pain in our little finger gives us more concern than the destruction of millions of our fellow beings.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: On the Pleasure of Hating, 1815
Minor personal discomfort can outweigh massive human suffering in our empathy.
In simple terms: Small pain feels bigger than large loss.
Recognize bias toward personal experience.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- humanitarian work
- policy making
- education
- media reporting
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we expand empathy beyond our own discomfort?
- What practices help us value distant suffering?
Personal pain may dominate because it is immediate and tangible.