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Angry Quote by Yann Martel

“These people walk by a widow deformed by leprosy...walk by children dressed in rags living in the street, and they think, 'Business as usual.' But if they perceive a slight against God, it is a different story. Their faces go red, their chests heave mightily, they sputter angry words. The degree…” quote by Yann Martel
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“These people walk by a widow deformed by leprosy...walk by children dressed in rags living in the street, and they think, 'Business as usual.' But if they perceive a slight against God, it is a different story. Their faces go red, their chests heave mightily, they sputter angry words. The degree of their indignation is astonishing. Their resolve is frightening.”

Yann Martel

About This Quote

People often ignore everyday suffering but react violently to perceived slights against their beliefs, revealing selective outrage.

In simple terms: We ignore daily pain but explode over belief attacks.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate consistent empathy across all situations.

Themes

morality empathy selective outrage human behavior

Mood

thoughtful concerned

Type

observational philosophical

When to use this quote

  • media consumption
  • community service
  • personal reflection

Key Concepts

cognitive bias moral inconsistency social justice

Questions to Reflect On

  • What triggers selective empathy?
  • How can we extend concern to all suffering?
A Different Perspective

May be challenging to apply uniformly.

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