“We all have strength enough to bear the misfortunes of others.”François de La Rochefoucauld · Maxime · 1665 · Maxime, Maxima 19
We find others' suffering easier to bear because we do not feel it directly in our own skin.
La Rochefoucauld points to a subtle selfishness in human compassion. When we witness another's pain, we feel only a faint echo of it, not the direct blow, which makes it bearable. For instance, we can listen for hours to a friend's troubles without exhaustion, yet our own grief quickly overwhelms us.
Why it matters It helps us recognize how easily we judge others' suffering and reminds us to be more empathetic, knowing that everyone carries their burden differently.