There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music.
T. S. EliotRead
Half of the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm. But the harm does not interest them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People often cause harm unintentionally while pursuing their own desire for significance.
T. S. Eliot's quote highlights a profound observation about human nature and behavior: many individuals inflict harm not out of malice, but rather from a selfish desire to be perceived as important. This tendency to prioritize one's own ego can lead to negative consequences in the lives of others, suggesting that the pursuit of self-importance can blind individuals to the impact of their actions on those around them.
Themes
HarmImportanceEgoHuman NatureUnintentional Harm
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the subtle ways people may hurt others, use this quote to illustrate your point about egoism.
More from T. S. Eliot
All quotes →I am an Anglo-Catholic in religion, a classicist in literature and a royalist in politics.
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If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?
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For I have known them all already, known them all— Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons, I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.
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In the faint moonlight, the grass is singing
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No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be; Am an attendant lord, one that will do To swell a progress, start a scene or two, Advise the prince; no doubt, an easy tool, Deferential, glad to be of use, Politic, cautious, and meticulous; Full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse; At times, indeed, almost ridiculous— Almost, at times, the Fool.
T. S. EliotRead
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