His morality is all sympathy, just what morality should be
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.
—Unknown
If the secret sorrows of everyone could be read on their forehead, how many who now cause envy would suddenly become the objects of pity.
—Italian Proverb
No man needs sympathy because he has to work. Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Explorer
The more sympathy you give, the less you need.
—Malcolm S. Forbes (1919–1990) American Publisher, Businessperson
Sympathy is two hearts tugging at one load.
—Charles Henry Parkhurst (1842–1933) American Clergyman, Civic Reformer
Happy is the man who has that in his soul which acts upon the dejected as April airs upon violet roots. Gifts from the hand are silver and gold, but the heart gives that which neither silver nor gold can buy. To be full of goodness, full of cheerfulness, full of sympathy, full of helpful hope, causes a man to carry blessings of which he is himself as unconscious as a lamp is of its own shining. Such a one moves on human life as stars move on dark seas to bewildered mariners; as the sun wheels, bringing all the season with him from the south.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity.
—William Penn (1644–1718) American Entrepreneur, Political leader, Philosopher
Self-pity comes so naturally to all of us. The most solid happiness can be shaken by the compassion of a fool.
—Andre Maurois (1885–1967) French Novelist, Biographer
And with the morn those angel faces smile
Which I have loved long since and lost awhile.
—John Henry Newman (1801–90) British Theologian, Poet
The capacity to give one’s attention to a sufferer is a very rare and difficult thing; it is almost a miracle; it is a miracle. Nearly all those who think they have this capacity do not possess it. Warmth of heart, impulsiveness, pity are not enough.
—Simone Weil (1909–1943) French Philosopher, Political Activist
Oh heart, if one should say to you that the soul perishes like the body, answer that the flower withers, but the seed remains.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
Pity is treason.
—Maximilien Robespierre (1758–94) French Revolutionary
It is the will of God and Nature that these mortal bodies be laid aside, when the soul is to enter into real life; ’tis rather an embrio state, a preparation for living; a man is not completely born until he be dead: Why then should we grieve that a new child is born among the immortals?
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
For some moments in life there are no words.
—David Seltzer (b.1940) American Screenwriter, Film Producer, Film Director
Sympathetic people often don’t communicate well, they back reflected images which hide their own depths.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Pity is a thing often vowed, seldom felt; hatred is a thing often felt, seldom avowed.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Our sympathy is never very deep unless founded on our own feelings. We pity, but do not enter into the grief which we have never felt.
—Letitia Elizabeth Landon (1802–38) English Poet, Novelist
He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man.
—Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900–44) French Novelist, Aviator
I can sympathize with everything, except suffering.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
All sympathy not consistent with acknowledged virtue is but disguised selfishness.
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English Poet, Literary Critic, Philosopher
Sympathy for victims is always counter-balanced by an equal and opposite feeling of resentment towards them.
—Ben Elton (b.1959) English Comedian, Writer
He kept at true good humour’s mark
The social flow of pleasure’s tide:
He never made a brow look dark,
Nor caused a tear, but when he died.
—Thomas Love Peacock (1785–1866) English Satirist, Novelist, Author
To what is a man likened, who consoles with his neighbor twelve months after his bereavement by death? He is like a surgeon, asking a man who had once broken his leg to let him break it again and heal it, that he may show him what excellent mendicaments he has.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
No radiant pearl, which crested fortune wears, no gem, that twinkling hangs from beauty’s ears; not the bright stars, which night’s blue arch adorn; nor rising sun, that gilds the vernal morn; shine with such lustre as the tear that flows down virtue’s manly cheek for others’ woes.
—Charles Darwin (1809–82) English Naturalist
Although it’s difficult today to see beyond the sorrow,
May looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.
—Unknown
Man’s thoughts and ways shall always be in contact and sympathy with his fellow men.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Soft pity enters an iron gate.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
To love with the spirit is to pity, and he who pities most loves most.
—Miguel de Unamuno (1864–1936) Spanish Educator, Philosopher, Author
A tear dries quickly when it is shed for troubles of others.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer