It is as absurd to argue men, as to torture them, into believing.
John Henry NewmanRead
Now what is it moves our very hearts, and sickens us so much at cruelty shown to poor brutes? I suppose this first, that they have done no harm; next, that they have no power whatever of resistance; it is the cowardice and tyranny of which they are the victims which makes their sufferings so especially touching.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the emotional response elicited by the suffering of defenseless animals and criticizes the cruelty they endure.
In this quote, John Henry Newman expresses a profound sense of empathy towards animals who suffer without the ability to defend themselves. He suggests that the cruelty they face not only stems from their innocence but also highlights the moral cowardice of those who inflict such pain upon beings that cannot resist or fight back. This recognition of their plight calls for a deeper understanding of compassion and humanity's responsibility toward the vulnerable.
Themes
CompassionCrueltyAnimalsEmpathySuffering
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about animal rights, I would refer to this quote to emphasize the importance of compassion towards all living beings.
More from John Henry Newman
All quotes →A cloud of incense was rising on high; the people suddenly all bowed low; what could it mean? The truth flashed on him, fearfully yet sweetly; it was the Blessed Sacrament - it was the Lord Incarnate who was on the altar, who had come to visit and bless his people. It was the Great Presence, which makes a Catholic Church different from every other place in the world; which makes it, as no other place can be - holy.
John Henry NewmanRead
It is seldom we have the heart to throw ourselves, if I may so speak, on the Divine Arm; we dare not trust ourselves on the waters, though Christ bids us. We have not St. Peter's love to ask leave to come to him upon the sea. When we once are filled with that heavenly charity, we can do all things, because we attempt all things - for to attempt is to do.
John Henry NewmanRead
A science is not mere knowledge, it is knowledge which has undergone a process of intellectual digestion. It is the grasp of many things brought together in one, and hence is its power; for, properly speaking, it is Science that is power, not Knowledge.
John Henry NewmanRead
Evil has no substance of its own, but is only the defect, excess, perversion, or corruption of that which has substance.
John Henry NewmanRead
How many writers are there... who, breaking up their subject into details, destroy its life, and defraud us of the whole by their anxiety about the parts.
John Henry NewmanRead
Similar quotes
It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal.
Joaquin PhoenixRead
Let's be the people who look at the hurting until we hurt with them. No hurrying past, turning away, or shifting of eyes. No pretending or glossing over. Let's look at the face until we see the person.
Max LucadoRead
One does not ask of one who suffers: What is your country and what is your religion? One merely says: You suffer, that is enough for me.
Louis PasteurRead
The root of compassion is not empathy; that is kindness. Kindness is great, but it is not the ultimate compassion. Ultimate compassion relieves the suffering that comes from separateness. The suffering that comes from separateness is relieved only when you are fully present with another person, not when you are separately present.
Ram DassRead
I want to express my closeness to the people of the Philippines who have been struck by a strong earthquake, and I invite you to pray for that dear nation, which in recent days has suffered different calamities.
Pope FrancisRead
What I've come to learn is that the world is never saved in grand messianic gestures, but in the simple accumulation of gentle, soft, almost invisible acts of compassion, everyday acts of compassion. In South Africa they have a phrase called ubuntu. Ubuntu comes out of a philosophy that says, the only way for me to be human is for you to reflect my humanity back at me.
Chris AbaniRead