“One cannot be deeply responsive to the world without being saddened very often”
— Erich Fromm
Simplified Meaning:
When you care a lot about the world and pay close attention to what goes on, it’s easy to feel sad frequently. Imagine you love animals very much, and you see stories or pictures of animals being hurt or neglected; this would make you feel really upset. It’s because you care deeply and notice the problems around you. For example, if you read the news often and see many stories about people suffering due to war or natural disasters, it makes you sad because you empathize with those people. This sadness shows that you have a kind heart and a strong awareness of the world’s issues. Being aware and responsive helps you to understand others better and can motivate you to help make the world a better place, even if it sometimes feels heavy on your emotions.