A lifelong intimacy with animals has got me out of the common notion that they are automata with a slight infusion of intelligence in their composition. The mind in beast and bird, as in man, is the main thing.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the depth of consciousness and intelligence in animals, challenging the idea that they are merely instinctive beings.
William Henry Hudson asserts that true understanding of animals reveals their complexity and intelligence, countering the simplistic view of them as mere machines acting on instinct. He highlights the importance of recognizing the minds of animals, suggesting that they possess an inner life and thoughts comparable to humans.
In practice
In a speech about animal rights, one might reference this quote to highlight the complexity of animal minds.
For here the religion that languishes in crowded cities or steals shame-faced to hide itself in dim churches, flourishes greatly, filling the soul with a solemn joy. Face to face with Nature on the vast hills at eventide, who does not feel himself near to the Unseen?
It was like that all the time, in those years: an endless trip, a gaudy voyage. But powers decay. Time leaches the colors from the best of visions. The world becomes grayer. Entropy beats us down. Everything fades. Everything goes. Everything dies.
In all people I see myself - none more, and not one a barleycorn less; And the good or bad I say of myself, I say of them.
Why, what is pomp, rule, reign, but earth and dust? And, live we how we can, yet die we must.
Being democratic is not enough, a majority cannot turn what is wrong into right. In order to be considered truly free, countries must also have a deep love of liberty and an abiding respect for the rule of law.
We cut nature up, organize it into concepts, and ascribe significances as we do, largely because we are parties to an agreement to organize it in this way - an agreement that holds through our speech community and is codified in the patterns of our language.
There is nothing but water in the holy pools. I know, I have been swimming there. All the gods sculpted of wood or ivory can’t say a word. I know, I have been crying out to them. The Sacred Books of the East are nothing but words. I looked through their covers one day sideways. What Kabir talks of is only what he has lived through. If you have not lived through something, it is not true.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.