The missionary, Mrs. Fry, tells Evangeline, "Only through sorrow do we learn to appreciate kindness." Do you believe this is true?
Created: 10/14/20
Replies: 14
Join Date: 10/15/10
Posts: 3216
Join Date: 10/13/11
Posts: 114
No I don't agree. I think we can appreciate kindness whenever and however it comes our way. Perhaps when one is grieving or sorrowful an act of kindness is what can seem paramount at that time, but kindness even when one is in a good frame of mind can be appreciated and make an impression.
Join Date: 03/13/12
Posts: 523
No, I do not agree. Even animals can sense when someone is being kind. There are small acts of kindness and more extensive ones, but people appreciate it. Sometimes sorrow helps people to realize that some of their remarks in the past to others that might have been intended to be kind were actually not consoling at all.
Join Date: 02/03/12
Posts: 32
In a way I do think this is true. I know I feel kindness every day, but when times are tough or life is filled with sorrow - acts of kindness almost feel overwhelming in that moment. I think I keep those acts of kindness with me all my life.
Join Date: 03/11/15
Posts: 113
Join Date: 02/03/20
Posts: 13
I believe that a person can identify, acknowledge, and accept kindnesses whenever they occur; they are taken for granted. A kindness is fully appreciated when one is down and suffering.
Join Date: 07/31/19
Posts: 83
Join Date: 04/07/12
Posts: 233
No, I don’t agree, although there are many people who lack compassion and empathy who don’t recognize or express kindness. But if you are born with compassion towards others, then you recognize kindness, appreciate it, and usually offer it to others. At least, I try to!
Join Date: 05/16/16
Posts: 140
I think kindness is universal and everyone appreciates showing kindness and receiving kindness. Also, everyone experiences sorrow at some point, but I don't think the two are interdependent like Mrs. Fry states.
Join Date: 04/12/12
Posts: 294
I do think that feeling sorrow helps one empathize with others and gives some understanding of what others are going through. I'm not sure it leads to an appreciation of kindness, maybe it helps us show kindness to others. I think we can appreciate kindness without having to have gone through something terrible.
Join Date: 01/01/16
Posts: 393
There are many ways to appreciate kindness. And many ways to be kind to others, by a smile, inviting someone to join you for coffee, brunch , lunch or dinner. I could go on and on. Just to be a friend.
Join Date: 02/23/19
Posts: 8
I think Mrs. Fry sentiment is overly simplified, but I do feel that the negative helps you appreciate the positive. I would disagree with mrs. Fry’s use of the word “only”. Kindness can always be appreciated, but is that much more treasured when in juxtaposition to sorrow.
Join Date: 05/29/15
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Join Date: 08/04/20
Posts: 32
Join Date: 08/16/17
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