The ability to be cool, confident, and decisive in crisis is not an inherited characteristic but is the direct result of how well the individual has prepared himself for the battle.
Richard M. NixonRead
I feel no disgust when I hear the confessions of those near their end, whose wounds are full of maggots...This may give you some idea of my daily work. Picture to yourself a collection of huts with 800 Lepers. No doctor; in fact, as there is no cure, there seems no place for a doctor's skill.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Father Damien demonstrates the courage and compassion required to face suffering and death head-on.
This quote reflects Father Damien's unwavering commitment to care for those at the end of their lives, particularly lepers who were shunned by society. His words convey a deep empathy for the suffering, revealing his willingness to confront disease and despair without revulsion, indicating that true compassion often requires overcoming our instinctive reactions to grotesque realities.
Themes
CourageCompassionSufferingLeprosyService
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote in a speech about volunteering at hospitals or care facilities.
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