“For a tear is quickly dried, especially when shed for the misfortunes of others.”
- January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC
- Roman
- Orator, Philosopher, Statesman, Lawyer, Author
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Quote
“For a tear is quickly dried, especially when shed for the misfortunes of others.”
Explanation
Cicero reflects on the ephemeral nature of sympathy, suggesting that while people may weep for others, such sorrow is often brief and superficial. Unlike personal grief, which lingers and reshapes one’s life, tears for the misfortunes of others tend to dry quickly, as emotional distance and self-interest reassert themselves. This quote points to a common human tendency: our compassion is real, but rarely enduring.
This observation aligns with Cicero’s broader philosophical insight into human nature and moral psychology. He understood that while humans are capable of empathy and moral concern, these feelings are often outweighed by personal priorities and passing emotions. In Tusculan Disputations, he explores the depth and complexity of emotional response, especially the contrast between genuine internal suffering and performative or fleeting reactions.
In contemporary life, Cicero’s words ring true in a world saturated with distant tragedies and media-driven empathy. Public mourning and charitable sentiment may be genuine, but are often short-lived, quickly displaced by new distractions. His quote challenges us to consider whether our compassion translates into sustained care, action, or change, or whether it fades with the momentary tear, leaving the deeper need unanswered.
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