Do you know, my dear fellow, it was pity which prevented my killing myself?
During the first six months in prison I was dreadfully unhappy, so utterly miserable that I wanted to kill myself; but what kept me from doing so was looking at the others, and seeing that they were as unhappy as I was, and feeling sorry for them.

Oh dear! what a wonderful thing pity is, and I never knew it." He was speaking in a low voice without any excitement.
"Have you ever learned how wonderful a thing pity is?
For my part I thank God every night, yes, on my knees I thank God for having taught it to me.

I went into prison with a heart of stone, thinking only of my own pleasure; but now my heart is utterly broken--pity has entered into my heart.

I have learned now that pity is the greatest and the most beautiful thing in the world.

And that is why I cannot bear ill-will towards those who caused my suffering and those who condemned me; no, nor to anyone, because without them I should not have known all that.
Alfred Douglas writes me terrible letters.