A man is never so truly and intensely himself as when he is most possessed by God. It is impossible to say where, in the spiritual life, the human will leaves off and divine grace begins.
William Ralph IngeRead
Deliberate cruelty to our defenceless and beautiful little cousins is surely one of the meanest and most detestable vices of which a human being can be guilty.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote condemns the cruel treatment of defenseless animals, highlighting it as a serious moral failing.
William Ralph Inge's quote emphasizes the moral reprehensibility of inflicting intentional harm on helpless creatures, which he refers to as 'beautiful little cousins'. It suggests that such deliberate cruelty is one of the lowest and most contemptible behaviors that humans can exhibit, calling attention to the need for compassion toward all living beings and the responsibility of humanity to protect them.
Themes
CrueltyAnimalsCompassionEthicsMorality
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on animal rights, one might quote Inge to emphasize the need for compassion towards defenseless animals.
More from William Ralph Inge
All quotes →Don't get up from the feast of life without paying for your share of it.
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Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due.
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The enemies of freedom do not argue; they shout and they shoot.
William Ralph IngeRead
Bereavement is the deepest initiation into the mysteries of human life, an initiation more searching and profound than even happy love.
William Ralph IngeRead
The happiest people seem to be those who have no particular cause for being happy except that they are so.
William Ralph IngeRead
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