What this quote means

This quote plays with the idea of empathy while subverting it with humor. It suggests that putting yourself in someone else's shoes is commendable, but we remain fundamentally self-centered. The laughter comes from the absurdity: after making the effort to understand, we end up with a material gain. It invites us to step back from our judgments while acknowledging our human, sometimes selfish, nature.

How to apply it daily

When you catch yourself judging someone, pause and imagine their life. Then, smile at your own tendency to make everything about yourself.