Most writers are not quick-witted when they talk. Novelists, in particular, drag themselves around in society like gut-shot bears.

Most writers are not quick-witted when they talk. Novelists, in particular, drag themselves around in society like gut-shot bears.

Pity is best taught by fellowship in woe.

Pity is best taught by fellowship in woe.

More helpful than all wisdom is one draught of simple pity that will not forsake us

More helpful than all wisdom is one draught of simple pity that will not forsake us

Pity is for the living, envy is for the dead

Pity is for the living, envy is for the dead

Self-pity is easily the most destructive of the nonpharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives momentary pleasure and separates the victim read more

Self-pity is easily the most destructive of the nonpharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives momentary pleasure and separates the victim from reality.

One-half the troubles of this life can be traced to saying yes too quickly and not saying no soon enough.

One-half the troubles of this life can be traced to saying yes too quickly and not saying no soon enough.

More helpful than all wisdom is one draught of simple human pity that will not forsake us.

More helpful than all wisdom is one draught of simple human pity that will not forsake us.

However we may pity the mother whose health and even life is imperiled by the performance of her natural duty, read more

However we may pity the mother whose health and even life is imperiled by the performance of her natural duty, there yet remains no sufficient reason for condoning the direct murder of the innocent

Pity is not natural to man. Children and savages are always cruel. Pity is acquired and improved by the cultivation read more

Pity is not natural to man. Children and savages are always cruel. Pity is acquired and improved by the cultivation of reason. We may have uneasy sensations from seeing a creature in distress, without pity; but we have not pity unless we wish to relieve him.