"A hurtful act is the transference to others of the degradation which we bear in ourselves"

This quote by Simone Weil recommends that when we are feeling deteriorated or hurt ourselves, we might take out our discomfort on others. Weil suggests that when we are feeling down, we might act out in a way that is upsetting to those around us. This might be in the form of verbal or physical abuse, or perhaps just a lack of confidence. Weil recommends that this is a method of moving our own hurt onto others, as a way of dealing with our own discomfort. This quote encourages us to be knowledgeable about our own sensations and to take obligation for our actions, instead of securing our hurt on those around us. Weil's words advise us to be conscious of our own emotions and to be kind to those around us, even when we are feeling down.