Quote by Leo Tolstoy

I sit on a man's back, choking him and making him carry me, and yet assure myself and others that I am very sorry for him and wish to ease his lot by all possible means except by getting off his back.

I sit on a man's back, choking him and making him carry me,

Summary

This quote criticizes the hypocrisy and insincerity of claiming to sympathize with someone's suffering while refusing to actively alleviate it. The metaphor of sitting on a man's back symbolizes the burden of one person's oppressive actions upon another. It highlights how words of empathy are often empty and meaningless without concrete actions to rectify the situation. The quote serves as a reminder that true compassion requires genuine effort and a willingness to address the root causes of someone's struggle, rather than offering empty gestures of help while continually contributing to their hardship.

By Leo Tolstoy

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