And whoever walks a furlong without sympathy walks to his own funeral drest in his shroud.

Summary

This quote suggests that lacking sympathy for others is equivalent to a walking towards one's own death - physically and emotionally. Walking a furlong (approximately 220 yards) without showing understanding or compassion for others signifies a disconnection from humanity. It implies that the absence of empathy leads to a metaphorical burial, whereby one isolates themselves and willingly walks towards their own demise, dressed in a shroud symbolizing their detachment from the world around them. Sympathy and empathy, therefore, are seen as crucial aspects of human connection and survival.

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