Quote by Bertolt Brecht

A man who sees another man on the street corner with only a stump for an arm will be so shocked the first time he'll give him sixpence. But the second time it'll only be a three penny bit. And if he sees him a third time, he'll have him cold-bloodedly handed over to the police.

A man who sees another man on the street corner with only a

Summary

This quote by Bertolt Brecht suggests how quickly society becomes indifferent to the suffering of others. Initially, the sight of a man with a missing arm invokes pity and sympathy, prompting the passerby to offer assistance. However, as this encounter becomes more familiar, the empathetic response gradually diminishes. Eventually, apathy sets in, leading the person to shift responsibility by involving the authorities. Brecht highlights the unfortunate tendency for compassion to wane over time, demonstrating the harsh reality of societal indifference.

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By Bertolt Brecht

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