Stronger than pain quotes (page 76) | Quotes of famous people

“I pained folk but little and caused them much amusement; my conscience rebuked me for nothing.”

Aristophanés Peace

Peace, line 762-773 (our emphasis on 764)
Aristophanes was bald.
Peace (421 BC)
Context: Chorus [speaking for Aristophanes]: Yet I have not been seen frequenting the wrestling school intoxicated with success and trying to seduce young boys; but I took all my theatrical gear and returned straight home. I pained folk but little and caused them much amusement; my conscience rebuked me for nothing. Hence both grown men and youths should be on my side and I likewise invite the bald to give me their votes; for, if I triumph, everyone will say, both at table and at festivals, “Carry this to the bald man, give these cakes to the bald one, do not grudge the poet whose talent shines as bright as his own bare skull the share he deserves.”
(tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Aristoph.+Peace+762)

“I never understood why some people seemed to have fun causing pain to someone smaller.”

Gottfried Helnwein (1948) Austrian photographer and painter

Interview by Brendan Maher http://www.gottfried-helnwein-interview.com/index.html, Start, Ireland, November 24, 2004
Context: When I started to paint, I painted children because I just felt that I wanted to take their side. What always upset me was how children are getting abused simply because they are physically weaker and not capable of defending themselves – how they get raped, enslaved and killed. I never understood why some people seemed to have fun causing pain to someone smaller.

“Eventually you can see that your pain was part of a much larger picture that God was carefully painting.”

James MacDonald (1960) American pastor

Source: Always True (Moody, 2011), p. 87

“The violence of beast on beast is read
As natural law, but upright man
Seeks his divinity by inflicting pain.”

Derek Walcott (1930–2017) Saint Lucian–Trinidadian poet and playwright

"A Far Cry from Africa" (1962)

“Harry Dresden: We're all human. We're all of us equally naked before the jaws of pain.”

Jim Butcher The Dresden Files

Source: The Dresden Files, White Night (2007), Chapter 26

“Hate comes from the past, fear from the future. Pain and pleasure are now, and therefore their own trap.”

Steven Barnes (1952) American writer and author

Source: Street Lethal (1983), Chapter 16 “Warrior” (p. 234)

“Most of the wailings of the awliya [pious believers] is caused by the pain of separation and detachment from the Beloved and His Generosity.”

Ruhollah Khomeini (1902–1989) Religious leader, politician

Pithy Aphorisms: Wise Saying and Counsels, Edited by Mansoor Limba, Tehran: The Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini’s Works -- International Affairs Department, p. 3.
Theology and Mysticism

“When one is gripped by excruciating physical pain, one is always shocked at just how frightful it can be.”

David Pearce (philosopher) (1959) British transhumanist

" The Abolitionist Project https://www.abolitionist.com/", Talks given at the FHI (Oxford University) and the Charity International Happiness Conference, 2007

“From the beginning of time,
in childhood, I thought
that pain meant
I was not loved.
It meant I loved.”

Louise Glück (1943–2023) American poet

Source: "First Memory", Ararat (1990)

“Facing pain causes an emotional change of resistance, strength and courage in the existential pathway of every living being.”

Prevale (1983) Italian DJ and producer

Original: Affrontare il dolore, provoca un cambiamento emotivo di resistenza, forza e coraggio, nel percorso esistenziale di ogni essere vivente.
Source: prevale.net

“Every atom of your flesh is as dear to me as my own: in pain and sickness it would still be dear.”

Charlotte Brontë book Jane Eyre

Source: Jane Eyre

“No action torments the human soul as much as ugly thoughts. The main pain to be avoided, they are your same thoughts.”

Prevale (1983) Italian DJ and producer

Original: Nessuna azione tormenta l'anima umana tanto quanto i brutti pensieri. Il dolore principale da evitare, sono i vostri stessi pensieri.
Source: prevale.net