As I am reading this, it occurs to me that I am a common person.
According to the musings of La Rochefoucauld,
" I am scarcely susceptible to pity, and would wish not to feel it at all. On the other hand there are no lengths to which I will not go in order to allevaite the afflictions of others; and I really belive that in such cases one should do everything, even to the extent of showing a great deal of compassion for them in thier misfourtunes; but I also belivve that one should be satisfied with display and avoid, most carefully, the true feelings. For pity is an emotion which is quite useless in a well-formed soul; it serves only to enfeeble the heart; and it should be left to the common people who, since they never behave according to the dictates of reason, must be stirred by emotion. "
Nothing like figuring out you would have been considered "common people" way back when..lol..
That's ok, I am still considered simple and stirred by emotion. I find the emotional experience in life to be a greater value than pure logic. Not that there isn't a place and a great need for logic. I believe that it is in the emotional experience of life where true growth of the soul lies. Nothing is more transforming than sorrow, deep emotional pain, exceeding joy, real love ( not lust) ,etc. It is, in my opinion, in these extreme mountains and valleys of emotions that our souls are made more knowledgeable of the human condition.
Perhaps he was of two minds about this, however, because he goes on to say,
" I have the greatest respect for fine passions, which are the mark of great souls; and although the disquiet they engender is in some ways antagonistic to strict wisdom, they are so easily linked to the most austere virtues that I do not believe they can be justly condemned." Hmmmm 🤔
