"We pity in others only the those evils which we ourselves have experienced"

This quote by Jean-Jacques Rousseau recommends that we are just able to feel sorry for the suffering of others if we have experienced comparable suffering ourselves. This implies that we are restricted in our ability to understand the struggles of those who have gone through something we have not. It is only when we have gone through a comparable experience that we can truly comprehend the discomfort and suffering of another individual. This quote likewise suggests that we need to make every effort to be more understanding and compassionate towards those who have gone through something we have not. We ought to attempt to put ourselves in their shoes and attempt to understand their situation from their perspective. By doing this, we can better empathize with their suffering and be more caring towards them.