John Steinbeck’s work didn’t shy away from untangling the intricacies of human nature. He often evoked empathy, and in this quote, from his 1952 novel East of Eden, he outright explains how to give — and hopefully receive — empathy and compassion.
These emotions demonstrate the capacity to see the world through someone else’s eyes and experiences, and in turn foster understanding and connection. Only by walking a mile in someone’s shoes, as the saying goes, can we truly understand them.
