Quote by Rudyard Kipling, The Comforters
Until thy feet have trod the RoadAdvise not wayside folk,Nor till thy back has borne the LoadBreak in upon the broke.Chase not with undesired largesseOf sympathy the heartWhich, knowing her own bitterness,Presumes to dwell apart.Employ not that glad hand to raiseThe God-forgotten headTo Heaven and all the neighbours' gaze --Cover thy mouth instead.The quivering chin, the bitten lip,The cold and sweating brow,Later may yearn for fellowship --Not now, you ass, not now!Time, not thy ne'er so timely speech,Life, not thy views thereon,Shall furnish or deny to eachHis consolation.Or, if impelled to interfere,Exhort, uplift, advise,Lend not a base, betraying earTo all the victim's cries.Only the Lord can understand,When those first pangs begin,How much is reflex action andHow much is really sin.E'en from good words thyself refrain,And tremblingly admitThere is no anodyne for painExcept the shock of it.So, when thine own dark hour shall fall,Unchallenged canst thou say:I never worried you at all,For God's sake go away!
Summary
This quote advises against offering unsolicited advice or sympathy to those who are struggling until we have personally experienced their hardships. It cautions against presuming to understand someone else's pain or attempting to uplift them without truly comprehending their suffering. The quote encourages us to be cautious with our words and actions, recognizing that sometimes the best support we can provide is to simply be present and let individuals find their own solace. It emphasizes the importance of respecting the individual's need for space, privacy, and their own personal journey towards healing.
Topics
Advice
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