QuoteProject
How anyone can profess to find animal life interesting and yet take delight in reducing the wonder of any animal to a bloody mass of fur or feathers?
Joseph Wood Krutch
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote criticizes the contradiction of finding animals fascinating while simultaneously harming them.

Joseph Wood Krutch's quote highlights a deep philosophical concern regarding the inconsistency in human attitudes towards animals. It questions how one can genuinely appreciate the beauty and complexity of animal life while also engaging in acts that reduce them to mere objects of violence and exploitation. The quote prompts reflection on our ethical responsibilities toward animals and the importance of fostering a sense of wonder rather than a willingness to inflict harm.

Themes

Animal RightsEthicsWonderViolencePhilosophy

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a presentation on animal ethics and the importance of compassion.

More from Joseph Wood Krutch

When a man wantonly destroys one of the works of man we call him a vandal. When he destroys one of the works of god we call him a sportsman.
Joseph Wood KrutchRead
Only those within whose own consciousness the sun rise and set, the leaves burgeon and wither, can be said to be aware of what living is.
Joseph Wood KrutchRead
If people destroy something replaceable made by mankind, they are called vandals; if they destroy something irreplaceable made by God, they are called developers.
Joseph Wood KrutchRead

Similar quotes

Indeed, what is startling about the notion of a victimless crime is that even when the behavior in question is genuinely victimless, its criminality is still affirmed by those who are eager to punish it. It is in such cases that the true genius lurking behind many of our laws stands revealed. The idea of a victimless crime is nothing more than a judicial reprise of the Christian notion of sin.
Sam HarrisRead
We dedicated ourselves to a powerful idea - organic law rather than naked power. There seems to be universal acceptance of that idea in the nation.
Potter StewartRead
Give me lust, baby. Flash. Give me malice. Flash. Give me detached existentialist ennui. Flash. Give me rampant intellectualism as a coping mechanism. Flash.
Chuck PalahniukRead
Nothing said in words ever came out quite even. Things in words got twisted and ran together, instead of staying straight and fitting together.
Ursula K. Le GuinRead
But meanwhile time flies; it flies never to be regained.
VirgilRead
We have contingency plans for war, but none for peace.
Theodore C. SorensenRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.