“There's nothing holy about suffering. The stories of the martyrs illustrate their faith because in spite of what they endured they did not suffer. A saint always dies smiling.”
Source: Laid Waste
“We’re fine.’
A few feet away, Aurum snarled quietly, which meant Nico was lying.”
Source: The Blood of Olympus
“I'm not sure whether it's even possible to talk about the suffering of others without exploiting that suffering.”
Source: The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet
“People show off to fill a void.”
“The point of the term “suffering-focused ethics” is ... not to be a novel or impressive contribution to ethical theorizing, but instead to serve as a pragmatic concept that can unite as effective a coalition as possible toward the shared aim of making a real-world difference — to reduce suffering for sentient beings.”
Source: Suffering-Focused Ethics: Defense and Implications
“People who have suffered as a result of certain aspects of themselves not being accepted, included, wanted, valued, appreciated or loved, heal by experiencing those thing being accepted, included, wanted, valued, appreciated and loved.”
“Before you think you are surrounded by idiots, make sure that you don’t suffer from narcissism.”
Source: A PHILOSOPHICAL KALEIDOSCOPE: Thoughts, Contemplations, Aphorisms
“The hardest part of trying to become an adult is realizing that your suffering doesn't entitle you to anything.”
Source: Prodigal Son
“[U]nearned suffering is redemptive. suffering, the nonviolent resister realizes, has tremendous education and transforming possibilities. 'Things of fundamental importance to people are not secured by reason alone, but have to be purchased with their suffering,' said Gandhi. He continues: 'Suffering is infinitely more powerful than the law of the jungle for converting the opponent and opening his ears which are otherwise shut to the voice of reason.”
“Present evils are but means of purifying our soul, of grounding it in virtue, and occasions of acquiring merits, all in view of God's glory, the ultimate end of creation.”
Source: The Spiritual Life: A Treatise On Ascetical And Mystical Theology