the lot of others

[HaraKiriBlade]

Put the case that the mind of that philanthropist were clouded by sorrow of his own, extinguishing all sympathy with the lot of others, and that while he still has the power to benefit others in distress he is not touched by their trouble because he is absorbed with his own.

THE lot of others? first of all, I haven't seen this usage: I know 'a lot of something' refers to a degree of amount, but 'THE lot of something'? sounds to me that it refers to a specific bunch of something, but that's just my guess so you could perhaps tell me its real meaning.
And secondly, what exactly is 'the lot of others' referring to? other good qualities related to sympathy?

- HKB

 

[RonBee]

The phrase "the lot of others" here means the condition or circumstances of other people.

~R

 

[vil]

Hi HaraKiriBlade,

"Their lot" (the lot of others) is their work, duties, social position etc. especially when they could be better.

They seem happy with their lot.

The union have always tried to improve the lot of their members.

Regards.

V.

 

[HaraKiriBlade]

Thank you both RonBee and vil for the responses. I hope you wouldn't mind my asking another question: what's the difference between 'sympathy for' and 'sympathy with'?

- HKB

 

[RonBee]

Thank you both RonBee and vil for the responses. I hope you wouldn't mind my asking another question: what's the difference between 'sympathy for' and 'sympathy with'?

- HKB

My short answer is I don't really know. ;-)

I know that I might say that I sympathize with somebody.

(Maybe somebody else can be more helpful. As for me, it's getting close to my bedtime. ;-))

~R

 

[vil]

Hi HaraKiriBlade,

Sympathy = (capacity for) sharing the feelings of others, feeling pity and tenderness
send somebody a letter of sympathy
feel sympathy for somebody
I have no sympathy with somebody’s foolish opinions
I have some sympathy with their views share them to some extent
In sympathy with, agreeing with, approving of

We are all in sympathy with your proposals.
Will the bus workers strike in sympathy with (to show their sympathy for) the railway workers?
To arouse sympathy for the girl.
Evictions stir up sympathy for the squatters with a social conscience.
Some of Cho's family members expressed sympathy for the victims' families and
described ...
I had a lot of sympathy for the miners.
to stir up false sympathy for a criminal illegal alien Mexican mother who ...
to express sympathy for
to feel sympathy for
to have sympathy for
to display sympathy for
to show sympathy for
to have little sympathy for somebody
to have sympathy for underdog
to be in complete sympathy with somebody’s cause
out of sympathy (we did it out of sympathy for your family)

Regards.

V.