To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.
Consider the problem of over-population. Rapidly mounting human numbers are pressing ever more heavily on natural resources. What is to be_x000D_ done?... The annual increase of numbers should be reduced. But how? We_x000D_ are given two choices -- famine, pestilence and war on the one hand,_x000D_ birth control on the other. Most of us choose birth control.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote discusses the urgent issue of overpopulation and presents birth control as a preferable solution to catastrophic outcomes like famine and war.
In this thought-provoking quote, Aldous Huxley highlights the critical issue of overpopulation and its impact on our natural resources. He delineates the stark choices humanity faces in addressing this problem: we can either succumb to the devastating effects of famine, disease, and conflict or proactively embrace birth control as a means to manage population growth. Huxley's assertion reflects a broader philosophical debate about the responsibilities of humanity in balancing growth with sustainability.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech addressing environmental sustainability, one might use Huxley's quote to advocate for responsible population management.
More from Aldous Huxley
All quotes →Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.
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.
On no account brood over your wrongdoing. Rolling in the muck is not the best way of getting clean.
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.
The leech's kiss, the squid's embrace, The prurient ape's defiling touch: And do you like the human race? No, not much.
Similar quotes
Life is like an eternal dance. The movements of the dance are choreographed through your awareness.
By suppressing differences and peculiarities, by eliminating different civilizations and cultures, progress weakens life and favors death
The perfect man of old looked after himself first before looking to help others.
The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battle-field, and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearth-stone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature. --as quoted in THE RIVER OF WINGED DREAMS
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.
No human race is superior; no religious faith is inferior. All collective judgments are wrong. Only racists make them.