我わが身みをつねって人ひとの痛いたさを知しれ

expression

pinch yourself and know others' pain; walk a mile in someone else's shoes

Proverb meaning you cannot truly understand another's suffering unless you experience something similar yourself. Often used to encourage empathy.

• 「我わが身みをつねって人ひとの痛いたさを知しれ」というように、自じ分ぶんが同おなじ立たち場ばになって初はじめて相あい手ての苦くるしみがわかることもある。

  As the saying goes, 'Pinch yourself and know others' pain' — sometimes you only understand someone's suffering when you find yourself in the same position.