The world has no sympathy with any but positive griefs; it will pity you for what you lose, but never for what you lack.
—Sophie Swetchine (1782–1857) Russian Mystic, Writer
Sympathy is a supporting atmosphere, and in it we unfold easily and well.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American 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
The secrets of life are not shown except to sympathy and likeness.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
A human life is a story told by God.
—Hans Christian Andersen (1805–75) Danish Author, Poet, Short Story Writer
One of the greatest of all mental pleasures is to have our thoughts often divined; ever entered into with sympathy.
—Letitia Elizabeth Landon (1802–38) English Poet, Novelist
Love and death are the two great hinges on which all human sympathies turn.
—Benjamin Haydon (1786–1846) English Painter, Writer
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-American Philosopher, Poet, Sculptor
All sympathy not consistent with acknowledged virtue is but disguised selfishness.
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English Poet, Literary Critic, Philosopher
The more sympathies we gain or awaken for what is beautiful, by so much deeper will be our sympathy for that which is most beautiful, the human soul.
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
Tears are God’s gift to us. Our holy water. They heal us as they flow.
—Rita Schiano (b.1957) American Motivational Author, Speaker
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
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
He that sympathizes in all the happiness of others, perhaps himself enjoys the safest happiness; and he that is warned by the folly of others has perhaps attained the soundest wisdom.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
When he shall die
Take him and cut him out in little stars
And he will make the face of heav’n so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
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
Sympathy is never wasted except when you give it to yourself.
—John W. Raper (1870–1950) American Journalist, Aphorist
With a soul that ever felt the sting of sorrow, sorrow is a sacred thing.
—William Cowper (1731–1800) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
Women have no sympathy and my experience of women is almost as large as Europe.
—Florence Nightingale (1820–1910) English Nurse
The only true knowledge of our fellowman is that which enables us to feel with him—which gives us a fine ear for the heart-pulses that are beating under the mere clothes of circumstance and opinion.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
There is a kind of sympathy in souls that fits them for each other; and we may be assured when we see two persons engaged in the warmths of a mutual affection, that there are certain qualities in both their minds which bear a resemblance to one another.
—Richard Steele (1672–1729) Irish Writer, Politician
Open your hearts to sympathy, but close them to despondency. The flower which opens to receive the light of day shuts against rain.
—James Beattie
Pity and friendship are two passions incompatible with each other.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
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
Can I see another’s woe, and not be in sorrow too? Can I see another’s grief, and not seek for kind relief?
—William Blake (1757–1827) English Poet, Painter, Printmaker
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-American Philosopher, Poet, Sculptor
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
Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat. We must find each other.
—Mother Teresa (1910–97) Roman Catholic Missionary, Nun
Public feeling now is apt to side with the persecuted, and our modern martyr is full as likely to be smothered with roses as with coals.
—Edwin Hubbell Chapin (1814–80) American Preacher, Poet
To love with the spirit is to pity, and he who pities most loves most.
—Miguel de Unamuno (1864–1936) Spanish Educator, Philosopher, Author
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