Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species -- man -- acquired significant power to alter the nature of the world.
Rachel CarsonRead
Until we have courage to recognize cruelty for what it is - whether its victim is human or animal - we cannot expect things to be much better in the world. There can be no double standard. We cannot have peace among men whose hearts find delight in killing any living creature. By every act that glorifies or even tolerates such moronic delight in killing, we set back the progress of humanity.
Interpretation
Recognizing and confronting cruelty is vital for improving the world and humanity.
This quote emphasizes the importance of courage in acknowledging and addressing cruelty towards all beings, whether human or animal. It suggests that a true moral standard cannot be selective; to promote peace and progress in humanity, we must reject any form of violence against living creatures and work towards a more compassionate world.
In practice
In a speech about animal rights, one could cite this quote to advocate for compassionate treatment of all living beings.
Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species -- man -- acquired significant power to alter the nature of the world.
As crude a weapon as the cave man's club, the chemical barrage has been hurled against the fabric of life - a fabric on the one hand delicate and destructible, on the other miraculously tough and resilient, and capable of striking back in unexpected ways. These extraordinary capacities of life have been ignored by the practitioners of chemical control who have brought to their task no "high-minded orientation," no humility before the vast forces with which they tamper.
Why should we tolerate a diet of weak poisons, a home in insipid surroundings, a circle of acquaintances who are not quite our enemies, the noise of motors with just enough relief to prevent insanity? Who would want to live in a world which is just not quite fatal?
To stand at the edge of the sea, to sense the ebb and flow of the tides, to feel the breath of a mist moving over a great salt marsh, to watch the flight of shore birds that have swept up and down the surf lines of the continents for untold thousands of years, to see the running of the old eels and the young shad to the sea, is to have knowledge of things that are as nearly eternal as any earthly life can be.
We cannot have peace among men whose hearts find delight in killing any living creature.
The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.
The coward only threatens when he is safe.
Freedom is not a gift of heaven, you have to fight for it every day
These movements aren't about anger. We're not angrily saying 'Black Lives Matter.' We're declaring it. It's a declaration. We want to be seen as robust, full human beings that have anger and have joy. We want to be able to just freely have that joy. Like everybody else does.
There are no outdoor sports as graceful as throwing stones at a dictatorship.
Who then will dare to say I'm weak or timid? No, they'll say I'm loyal as a friend, ruthless as a foe, so much like a hero destined for glory.
I am aware that in presenting myself as the advocate of the Indians and their rights, I shall stand very much alone.
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