It is a terrible, an inexorable, law that one cannot deny the humanity of another without diminishing one's own: in the face of one's victim, one sees oneself.
James A. BaldwinRead
We must add our voices to those who cry out that there is a standard below which we will not allow human beings to live, and that that standard is not at the freezing nor starving point....In a democracy all are responsible.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of setting and maintaining ethical standards for human dignity and quality of life in a democratic society.
Hannah G. Solomon's quote reflects the notion that in a democratic society, we have a collective responsibility to ensure that all individuals have a minimum standard of living that respects their humanity. It argues against complacency in the face of suffering, urging us to advocate for those whose needs surpass mere survival, thus reinforcing the moral obligation to uplift the standards of living for all.
Themes
DemocracyResponsibilityHuman RightsStandard Of LivingEthics
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on social justice, this quote can be used to emphasize the urgency of addressing poverty.
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