When faced with the photograph of the baby people were far more likely to send the wallet back

Too much empathy is not good. To lapse into maudlin imaginations of another’s experience can be presumptive, invasive, and uncomfortable. The exposing of vulnerability might be constructive or destructive to health, relationships, and wellbeing. To step too far into another’s shoes can sap the very resourcefulness needed by both parties. Perhaps empathy is best displayed when it acknowledges suffering, with merely one foot in the shoe of another.