Samuel Johnson Quotes

Nobody really wants to hear about anybody else's injuries. Or how your back feels. Whose back doesn't hurt?

Only the tortured can understand those who have been tortured.

Years ago I used to commiserate with all people who suffered. Now I commiserate only with those who suffer in ignorance, who do not understand the purpose and ultimate utility of pain

If we could read the secret history of our enemies we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.

None knows the weight of another's burden.

We learn resignation not by our own suffering, but by the suffering of others.

Nothing can make you more humble than pain.

We need to suffer, that we may learn to pity.

Human beings are so made that the ones who do the crushing feel nothing; it is the person crushed who feels what is happening. Unless one has placed oneself on the side of the oppressed, to feel with them, one cannot understand.

Difficult as it is really to listen to someone in affliction, it is just as difficult for him to know that compassion is listening to him.

My heart bled for the inhabitants.

People who have suffered know more about compassion.

People don't know what pain is until they suffer.

My heart goes out to anyone who suffers, and of course, to their families.

Empathy during agony is a portion of divinity.

It is people who go through suffering that have an empathy for the suffering of others.

Other men's pains are easily borne.

I fervently wish no misery ever came near anyone; yet it is that alone that gives us an insight into the depths of our lives, does it not? In our moments of anguish, gates barred forever seem to open and let in many a flood of light.

Anyone who has gone through great suffering is bound to have a greater sympathy and understanding of the problems of mankind.

Those who have never been ill are incapable of real sympathy for a great many misfortunes

Oh, it is easy for the one who stands outside the prison-wall of pain to exhort and teach the one who suffers.

When someone you love is hurting, if it was possible, you'd want to take their pain for them. But do I really want cramps and sore boobs?

Because Jesus Christ suffered greatly, He understands our suffering. He understands our grief. We experience hard things so that we too may have increased compassion and understanding for others.

Not being untutored in suffering, I learn to pity those in affliction

It's a terrible thing wishing that it can be someone else's tragedy.