Book 2
8.14
And since sufferings are pitiable when they appear close at hand, while those that are past or future, ten thousand years backwards or forwards, either do not excite pity at all or only in a less degree, because men neither expect the one nor remember the other, it follows that those who contribute to the effect by gestures, voice, dress, and dramatic action generally, are more pitiable; for they make the evil appear close at hand, setting it before our eyes as either future or past.
8.15
And disasters that have just happened or are soon about to happen excite more pity for the same reason.
8.16
Pity is also aroused by signs and actions, such as the dress of those who have suffered, and all such objects, and the words and everything else that concerns those who are actually suffering, for instance, at the point of death. And when men show themselves undauntedWhen the men, who are in such crises, are good men (Jebb). If they were not, their misfortune would appear deserved. at such critical times it is specially pitiable; for all these things,The signs and actions, and the demeanor of the sufferer. because they come immediately under our observation, increase the feeling of pity, both because the sufferer does not seem to deserve his fate, and because the suffering is before our eyes.
