Belief like any other moving body follows the path of least resistance.
Samuel ButlerRead
Man is the only animal that can remain on friendly terms with the victims he intends to eat until he eats them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests a contradiction in human nature, highlighting our ability to empathize with others while having the capacity for harm.
Samuel Butler's quote reflects the paradox of human relationships, where individuals can maintain a façade of friendliness towards others, even those they intend to exploit or harm. It raises questions about morality and the complexity of human behavior, suggesting that humans uniquely possess the capability to both empathize and betray, illustrating a deep contradiction within our nature.
Themes
Human NatureEmpathyBetrayalMoralityRelationships
In practice
Example use cases
In a philosophical debate about ethics, one might use this quote to illustrate the duality of human relationships.
More from Samuel Butler
All quotes βTo know God better is only to realize how impossible it is that we should ever know him at all. I know not which is more childish to deny him, or define him.
Samuel ButlerRead
Academic and aristocratic people live in such an uncommon atmosphere that common sense can rarely reach them.
Samuel ButlerRead
An apology for the devil: it must be remembered that we have heard one side of the case. God has written all the books.
Samuel ButlerRead
Young people have a marvelous faculty of either dying or adapting themselves to circumstances.
Samuel ButlerRead
People care more about being thought to have taste than about being thought either good, clever or amiable.
Samuel ButlerRead
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There is in each of us an ancient force that takes and an ancient force that gives. A man finds little difficulty facing that place within himself where the taking force dwells, but it's almost impossible for him to see into the giving force without changing into something other than man. For a woman, the situation is reversed. ... These things are so ancient within us that they're ground into each separate cell of our bodies... It's as easy to be overwhelmed by giving as by taking.
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Faith is a dark night for man, but in this very way it gives him light.
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There is a fear of voluptuousness that is itself voluptuous, just as a certain fear of death can itself be deadly.
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