"Suffering by nature or chance never seems so painful as suffering inflicted on us by the arbitrary will of another"
- Arthur Schopenhauer
About this Quote
In this quote, philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer assesses the nature of suffering and its different kinds. He recommends that suffering brought on by natural or random occasions may not feel as painful as suffering that is intentionally imposed upon us by someone else's will. This is due to the fact that when we experience suffering due to natural causes, we might discover some solace in the fact that it is out of our control. Nevertheless, when suffering is caused upon us by another individual's approximate choice, it can feel more individual and unjust. Schopenhauer's words highlight the impact of human actions on the suffering of others and the significance of compassion and empathy in our interactions with others.
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