I'm not sure anyone can say they truly empathize with anything. When you put yourself first, you immediately are not fully empathizing with everything. Rather

I'm not sure anyone can say they truly empathize with anything. When you put yourself first, you immediately are not fully empathizing with everything. Rather, I'd say I have a healthy respect for all living beings. I can smack a mosquito and respect it was doing what it needed to survive, while also putting myself first in my desire to not catch dengue fever. Life and death are natural. Empathy may not be complete unless you're willing to sacrifice yourself. Respect may or may not be limited to humans.