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Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, great as each may be, their highest comfort given to the sorrowful is a cordial introduction into another's woe. Sorrow's the great community in which all men born of woman are members at one time or another.
Sean O'Casey
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes the shared experience of sorrow among all humans, mediated by spiritual leaders who guide us through it.

Sean O'Casey's quote reflects on the universal nature of sorrow, indicating that all humans inevitably experience pain and suffering in their lives. It suggests that great spiritual leaders like Jesus, Buddha, and Mohammed offer comfort by helping individuals connect with the sorrow of others, thereby fostering empathy and a sense of community among those who are suffering.

Themes

SorrowCommunityEmpathyComfortHuman Experience

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about mental health, one could use this quote to illustrate how shared suffering can create connections.

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The drama's altar isn't on the stage: it is candle-sticked and flowered in the box office. There is the gold, though there be no frankincense or myrrh; and the gospel for the day always The Play will Run for a Year. The Dove of Inspiration, of the desire for inspiration, has flown away from it; and on it's roof, now, the commonplace crow caws candidly.
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Politics - I don't know why, but they seem to have a tendency to separate us, to keep us from one another, while nature is always and ever making efforts to bring us together.
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