When a human being kills an animal for food, he is neglecting his own hunger for justice.
Isaac Bashevis SingerRead
When a human kills an animal for food, he is neglecting his own hunger for justice. Man prays for mercy, but is unwilling to extend it to others. Why should man then expect mercy from God? It's unfair to expect something that you are not willing to give.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the hypocrisy in human behavior regarding justice and mercy towards animals and God.
Isaac Bashevis Singer's quote critiques the contradiction in human nature where individuals often seek mercy while failing to extend it to others, particularly in the context of killing animals for food. It emphasizes the moral responsibility of humans to show compassion and justice in their actions, suggesting that expecting mercy from a higher power is unjust if one is unwilling to practice it themselves.
Themes
MercyJusticeCompassionHypocrisyFood Ethics
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on animal rights, one could use this quote to provoke thought about our dietary choices.
More from Isaac Bashevis Singer
All quotes →There will be no justice as long as man will stand with a knife or with a gun and destroy those who are weaker than he is.
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Our knowledge is a little island in a great ocean of nonknowledge.
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As long as people will shed the blood of innocent creatures there can be no peace, no liberty, no harmony between people. Slaughter and justice cannot dwell together.
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Sometimes love is stronger than a man's convictions.
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I did not become a vegetarian for my health, I did it for the health of the chickens.
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