Not every suffering dog should be fed; some only need the strength to turn around and bite you.
This quote suggests that not all suffering individuals or creatures require help or consolation; some may actually need to confront the source of their pain or assert their own boundaries. In the context of a dog, it implies that a dog in distress might not simply crave compassion or aid, but rather the empowerment to push back against what is causing its suffering. This can be a metaphor for people as well, indicating that sometimes, instead of offering sympathy or intervention, it's more important to support someone in finding their own strength and agency to deal with their issues directly.
Quote By: Margaret Atwood