Children, even infants, are capable of sympathy. But only after adolescence are we capable of compassion.

Summary

This quote suggests that while children have the ability to feel sympathy for others, it is only during adolescence and beyond that we develop the capacity for true compassion. Sympathy involves understanding and feeling pity for someone's difficult situation, whereas compassion goes a step further. Compassion implies an active intention to alleviate others' suffering, requiring a level of maturity and empathy that typically develops as we grow older. Thus, the quote emphasizes the importance of nurturing our capacity for compassion as we transition from childhood to adolescence and beyond.

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