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What a tragedy is help where it harms what it supports!
Publilius Syrus
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Offering help can sometimes lead to adverse outcomes, undermining the very purpose of support.

This quote by Publilius Syrus highlights the irony that assistance can sometimes create more harm than good. It suggests that aid, when misapplied or misunderstood, may inadvertently damage what it was meant to protect or uplift, urging us to be mindful of how we choose to support others.

Themes

HelpHarmSupportAidIntention

In practice

Example use cases

During a team meeting, this quote could be used to discuss effective ways to offer assistance to colleagues.

More from Publilius Syrus

Never promise more than you can perform.
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Pain forces even the innocent to lie.
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In a heated argument we are apt to lose sight of the truth.
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Admonish your friends privately, but praise them openly.
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The miser is as much in want of what he has as of what he has not.
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He who lives only for himself is truly dead to others.
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Quote by Publilius Syrus | QuoteProject