I believe you mother everybody, not in a cloying, hovering way, but taking care of what is around you.

Whatever the reason is, I am happiest when connecting with the human experience. It lets me know that I'm not alone in this world.

The Lord only knows how many times I let my children go hungry rather than take secretly the bread I liked not to ask for.

We never get accustomed to being less important to other people than they are to us.

Pity is cruel. Pity destroys.

The Church is in the world, it is part of the suffering in the world, and though Christ condemned the disciple who struck off the ear of the high priest's servant, our hearts go out in sympathy to all who are moved to violence by the suffering of others. The Church condemns violence, but it condemns indifference more harshly. Violence can be the expression of love, indifference never. One is an imperfection of charity, the other the perfection of egoism.

I know myself, and I know the depth of my selfishness. I cannot be at ease (and to be at ease is my chief wish) if someone else is in pain, visibly or audibly or tactually. Sometimes this is mistaken by the innocent for unselfishness, when all I am doing is sacrificing a small good - in this case postponement in attending to my hurt - for the sake of a far greater good) a peace of mind when I need think only of myself.

he forgot for the while what experience had taught him-that no human being can really understand another, and no one can arrange another's happiness.

You think you are so bad,' she said, 'but it was only because you couldn't bear the pain. But they can bear pain - other people's pain - endlessly. They are the people who don't care.

The Church condemns violence, but it condemns indifference more harshly. Violence can be the expression of love, indifference never. One is an imperfection of charity, the other the perfection of egoism.

Why did you give Querry Deo Gratias?' 'He's cured, but he's a burnt-out case, and I don't want to send him away. He can sweep a floor and make a bed without fingers or toes.' 'Our visitors are sometimes fastidious.' 'I assure you Querry doesn't mind. In fact he asked for him.

A lot of people have it a lot worse than you do.