Respect for the fragility and importance of an individual life is still the mark of an educated man.
Norman CousinsRead
The individual is capable of both great compassion and great indifference. He has it within his means to nourish the former and outgrow the latter.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Humans have the potential for both kindness and apathy, and they can choose to nurture compassion.
This quote by Norman Cousins highlights the dual nature of human capacity regarding emotions and actions. It suggests that every individual has the inner strength to cultivate compassion, thereby contributing positively to the world, while also possessing the ability to become indifferent, which can lead to negative outcomes. The emphasis here is on personal responsibility and the power of choice in determining which aspect of our nature we choose to develop.
Themes
CompassionIndifferenceChoiceHuman NaturePersonal Responsibility
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech to emphasize the importance of kindness during challenging times.
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People are never more insecure than when they become obsessed with their fears at the expense of their dreams.
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Reverence for life is more than solicitude or sensitivity for life. It is a sense of the whole, a capacity for inspired response, a respect for the intricate universe of individual life. It is the supreme awareness of awareness itself.
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