To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.
Aldous HuxleyRead
The leech's kiss, the squid's embrace, The prurient ape's defiling touch: And do you like the human race? No, not much.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote expresses a critical view of humanity, emphasizing its unpleasant or corrupt aspects.
Aldous Huxley's quote reflects a cynical perspective on human nature, comparing it unfavorably to the repulsive traits of various creatures. By illustrating a disconnect between the speaker and the human race, Huxley invites readers to question the morality and integrity of humanity, suggesting that perhaps our basest instincts overshadow our higher qualities.
Themes
Human NatureCynicismCritiqueMoralityInstincts
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the flaws of society, one could use this quote to emphasize a critical viewpoint.
More from Aldous Huxley
All quotes →Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.
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In the course of history many more people have died for their drink and their dope than have died for their religion or their country.
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On no account brood over your wrongdoing. Rolling in the muck is not the best way of getting clean.
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No man ever dared to manifest his boredom so insolently as does a Siamese tomcat when he yawns in the face of his amorously importunate wife.
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Children are remarkable for their intelligence and ardor, for their curiosity, their intolerance of shams, the clarity and ruthlessness of their vision.
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A man must know his destiny… if he does not recognize it, then he is lost. By this I mean, once, twice, or at the very most, three times, fate will reach out and tap a man on the shoulder… if he has the imagination, he will turn around and fate will point out to him what fork in the road he should take, if he has the guts, he will take it.
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