Quotes About Empathy

Mr. Weir knew at once that I was really interested and came half-way to meet me. When people go half-way to meet each other something happens—something important." "Yes—but what is it?" I ask with interest. "You give a bit of yourself and receive a bit of the other fellow, and you're both richer.

If we go about the world giving bits of ourselves to people we meet . . . it's worthwhile having lived . . . we leave something behind us which goes on—and on.

And another thing," added Mademoiselle Bénet. "You must not make the mistake of saying to yourself, 'All French people are like that.' There are bad people and good people in my country – as there are in every country under the sun.

Jerry found Barbara very soothing and comforting during this difficult time. It was not necessary to confide in Barbara to gain her sympathy—you just talked to Barbara about odds and ends of things, and you came away feeling a different creature.

I was not alone in my experience—not alone anymore. The mere fact that another had walked where I was walking made the path easier for my feet.

everybody had to find their own way of bearing things

Wherever Paula went she made friends and gathered information—she was interested in everything and everybody, and her interest drew people toward her and opened their hearts. Her manner was always natural and sincere, and it rarely failed to evoke a natural and sincere response—she was never patronizing, never gushing, never subservient, she was always herself.

Of course I know that you have forgotten me long ago, you are not lonely like I am. You have a husband to share your life, a house to care for, a garden to enjoy, perhaps you have children. You would think it crazy that a woman you met three years ago for ten minutes should think of you as her greatest friend, but you would not grudge me the consolation of your shadowy presence if you knew what it meant to me.

James thought he might learn from Daniel how to be alone and yet not lonely, how to be self-sufficient. One must not become selfish of course (Daniel was not selfish), but it would be a useful lesson

Somehow talking to him had made me feel better. He was sane and sensible—the first sane, sensible person I had spoken to for hours. As I walked back to the car I had an absurd feeling that I could be friends with that waiter. I wondered what his name was and where he lived … it was foolish, of course; I knew nothing about him, nothing except that he was sensible and kind.

Mrs. Parsons says, 'I know exactly what you mean but I envy you all the same. I envy you going to new places every few years – meeting new people and making new friends. It is such an interesting thing to study people, to get inside their skins and see life from their point of view. And you can do it. Some people travel all over the world and see nothing. They go about clad in a thick fog of their own making through which no impressions can penetrate

Silly people are often cruel," said Adam. "You know that yourself. People with no imagination are cruel because they don't realise what other people are suffering.

Peter's sensitiveness of perception was acute. He knew exactly what the independent old farmer-ferryman was thinking; he understood and in a measure sympathised with his feelings. Peter was like that — he could always see the other fellow's point of view. His mother had been immensely large-hearted and tolerant, and she had brought up her son to loathe intolerance as one of the deadly sins.

Query – Why do people with no children of their own seem to think the shocking behaviour of other people's offspring a fit subject for mirth?)

These were the things Kitty talked about when I met her—and I listened. She never wanted to know about my life—and why should she? My life was so monotonous that I would have found it difficult to discuss it with her if she had ever shown any desire to know what I did with myself.

Men who understand women being sometimes too understanding of women other than their wives.

Julia understood perfectly and was not sorry to be banished, for she was half-way through Villette, which she had found on Uncle Randal's shelves. Lucy Snowe was annoying, of course (Julia would have liked to take her and shake her and tell her not to be a silly little ass), but all the same she was so enthralled by the creature's misadventures that it was difficult to put the book down.

They don't understand anything," declared Mother smiling at me rather sadly. "They don't even know that there's anything to understand. They're like horses with blinkers —they just see what's in front of their noses and nothing more. I'm always terribly sorry for horses with blinkers," added Mother with a sigh.

she was a good person to confide in because she didn't make silly suggestions as to what you should do or shouldn't do, she just listened.

It is, really. And we need stories more than ever now. We need stories to entertain us, to help us to forget our troubles, to fill our lives with colour." He paused and then added, "The period you've chosen is very colourful." "Would

Left-hand neighbour turns to me and remarks, 'I am always so sorry for army people – so dreadful to be moved away from a place when you are fond of it.' Reply that there is some consolation in the fact that you are also moved away from places you are not fond of.

Was it this? Unlike as they were in everything upon which human friendship is usually based — unlike in upbringing, in modes of life, in habits, interests, and thoughts, poles apart in station and in appearance, there was yet a bond between them which needed no forging, but sprang suddenly and strongly into being at their first contact.

And I saw how foolish I had been to fuss and worry about 'the right approach' because of course 'the right approach' to all our fellow creatures is just to love them.

thought England was ripe for revolution—but then I changed my mind. I saw they were loyal in the big things, I saw that they spoke little of their country and their Empire because their feelings were too deep. They were of one race, they were happy and secure. I couldn't go on hating you," continued Frank in a lower tone, "it was impossible to hate people who were so kind at heart. You can't hate people when you understand them.