Only those within whose own consciousness the sun rise and set, the leaves burgeon and wither, can be said to be aware of what living is.
Joseph Wood KrutchRead
When a man wantonly destroys one of the works of man we call him a vandal. When he destroys one of the works of god we call him a sportsman.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques societal values that glorify harm to nature while condemning similar actions toward human creations.
Joseph Wood Krutch's quote highlights a paradox in societal attitudes towards destruction. He draws a stark contrast between how we label individuals based on the objects they destroy—branding a person as a vandal for damaging human-made structures while affectionately calling those who hunt and kill animals sportsmen. This juxtaposition raises questions about morality, ethics, and the value we place on human creations versus the natural world, prompting reflection on our priorities and the language we use to justify our actions.
Themes
DestructionNatureMoralitySportsmanshipSociety
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate about conservation, one could reference this quote to illustrate the inconsistency in how we value human versus natural creations.
More from Joseph Wood Krutch
All quotes →How anyone can profess to find animal life interesting and yet take delight in reducing the wonder of any animal to a bloody mass of fur or feathers?
Joseph Wood KrutchRead
If people destroy something replaceable made by mankind, they are called vandals; if they destroy something irreplaceable made by God, they are called developers.
Joseph Wood KrutchRead
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