Compassion Quote by William Voegeli
““Etymologically, "compassion" means to suffer together. "Together," however, is different from "identically." Compassion is not the same as selflessness, and not really the opposite of selfishness. Rather, it provides a basis for helping other people that is materially disinterested but emotionally self-regarding. As Rousseau wrote in Emile, "When the strength of an expansive soul makes me identify myself with my fellow, and I feel that I am, so to speak, in him, it is in order not to suffer that I do not want him to suffer. I am interested in him for love of myself..." Or, as Jean Bethke Elshtain has said, "Pity is about how deeply I can feel. And in order to feel this way, to experience the rush of my own pious reaction, I need victims the way an addict needs drugs.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Compassion and Self-Interest, 2020
Compassion involves sharing others' suffering while still being self‑interested, not pure selflessness.
In simple terms: Compassion is caring with personal benefit.
Key Takeaway
Recognize compassion’s mixed motives.
Themes
empathy
self‑interest
ethics
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- counseling
- conflict resolution
- community service
- mental health support
Key Concepts
psychology
philosophy
social behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- Can true selflessness exist?
- How does self‑interest shape empathy?
A Different Perspective
Compassion can be exploited for personal gain.
![“The hallmark of futile negotiations is that each side regards [an] overarching reality as a problem for the people on the other side of the table, rather than one for everyone at the table.” quote by William Voegeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/99b/william-voegeli-68573_negotiation_the-hallmark-of-futile-negotiations-is-t_968592.jpg)
