When a man sees a dying animal, horror comes over him: that which he himself is, his essence, is obviously being annihilated before his eyes--is ceasing to be. But when the dying one is a person, and a beloved person, then, besides a sense of horror at the annihilation of life, there is a feeling of severance and a spiritual wound which, like a physical wound, sometimes kills and sometimes heals, but always hurts and fears any external, irritating touch.

Summary

This quote by Fyodor Dostoevsky explores the profound emotional impact of witnessing the death of a loved one. It highlights the contrasting reactions between witnessing the death of an animal versus a human being. The horror felt in seeing an animal perish comes from the recognition that life is ending. However, when the dying individual is a beloved person, the experience becomes much deeper. In addition to the horror of death, there is a sense of disconnection and a spiritual wound that can be as damaging as a physical injury, creating fear and vulnerability to any external triggers.

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