"When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it?"

This quote by Eleanor Roosevelt speaks with the concept that we should be proactive in avoiding human suffering, instead of simply reacting to it after it has currently occurred. She is recommending that we ought to be more aware of the capacity for suffering on the planet and take actions to avoid it, instead of merely responding to it after it has currently happened. This might indicate taking steps to ensure that individuals have access to fundamental requirements such as food, shelter, and health care, or it might imply taking actions to prevent violence and dispute. Ultimately, Roosevelt is recommending that we need to be more aware of the potential for suffering in the world and take steps to avoid it, rather than just responding to it after it has actually already taken place.