Quote image editor
“Empathy is a common and even useful trait; but it can easily go to the extent of disabling the well-meaning helper. This is not to suggest that one attempt to become 'hardened;' rather... one might attempt to more clearly place the self within a total framework which allows one to say without guilt when he has had enough. The 'bleeding heart' who makes routine of this for everyone soon runs out of blood, even for himself. Each counselor must be careful to, first, accurately assess the needs and wishes of his own personal life before scheduling his time, thoughts, and emotions for other people." Marco M. Pardi, "Death: An Anthropological Perspective" 1977 University Press of America” — Marco M. Pardi
Empathy is a common and even useful trait; but it can easily go to the extent of disabling the well-meaning helper. This is not to suggest that one attempt to become 'hardened;' rather... one might attempt to more clearly place the self within a total framework which allows one to say without guilt when he has had enough. The 'bleeding heart' who makes routine of this for everyone soon runs out of blood, even for himself. Each counselor must be careful to, first, accurately assess the needs and wishes of his own personal life before scheduling his time, thoughts, and emotions for other people."
Marco M. Pardi, "Death: An Anthropological Perspective" 1977 University Press of America