Man passes through the present with his eyes blindfolded. He is permitted merely to sense and guess at what he is actually experiencing. Only later w… - Milan Kundera

[Large countries'] patriotism is different: they are buoyed by their glory, their importance, their universal mission. The Czechs loved their country not because it was glorious but because it was unknown; not because it was big but because it was small and in constant danger. Their patriotism was an enormous compassion for their country.

صدای پاشنه های کفشتان در پیاده رو مرا به فکر راه هایی که نپیموده ام، راه هایی که به سان ِ شاخه های درخت پر از رشته های فرعی اند، می اندازد. شما در من وسوسه های دوران نوجوانی ام را بیدار کرده اید. من زندگی را در برابرم همچون درختی تصور می کردم. در آن هنگام آن را درخت امکانات می نامیدم. تنها در لحظه های کوتاه زندگی را این چنین می بینیم. سپس زندگی همچون راهی نمایان می شود که یک بار برای همیشه تحمیل شده است. همچون تونلی که از آن نمی توان بیرون رفت. با این همه جلوه ی درخت در ذهن ما همچون حسرت گذشته محو ناشدنی باقی می ماند...

"All languages that derive from Latin form the word "compassion" by combining the prefix meaning "with" (com-) and the root meaning "suffering" (Late Latin, passio). In other languages, Czech, Polish, German, and Swedish, for instance - this word is translated by a noun formed of an equivalent prefix combined with the word that means "feeling".

In languages that derive from Latin, "compassion" means: we cannot look on coolly as others suffer; or, we sympathize with those who suffer. Another word with approximately the same meaning, "pity", connotes a certain condescension towards the sufferer. "To take pity on a woman" means that we are better off than she, that we stoop to her level, lower ourselves.

That is why the word "compassion" generally inspires suspicion; it designates what is considered an inferior, second-rate sentiment that has little to do with love. To love someone out of compassion means not really to love."