To insult someone we call him 'bestial. For deliberate cruelty and nature, 'human' might be the greater insult.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that cruelty is a more human trait than the animalistic nature often attributed to us.
Isaac Asimov emphasizes the paradox of human behavior by contrasting the terms 'bestial' and 'human.' While bestial implies a lack of rationality and morality, Asimov argues that the calculated and deliberate cruelty that some humans exhibit is far more sinister, indicating that it is our humanity that can lead to the darkest actions.
In practice
In a debate about human nature, this quote could illustrate the depths of human cruelty.
Democracy cannot survive overpopulation. Human dignity cannot survive it. Convenience and decency cannot survive it. As you put more and more people into the world, the value of life not only declines, but it disappears. It doesn't matter if someone dies.
Science does not promise absolute truth, nor does it consider that such a thing necessarily exists. Science does not even promise that everything in the Universe is amenable to the scientific process.
Democracy cannot survive overpopulation.
Although the time of death is approaching me, I am not afraid of dying and going to Hell or (what would be considerably worse) going to the popularized version of Heaven. I expect death to be nothingness and, for removing me from all possible fears of death, I am thankful to atheism.
A subtle thought that is in error may yet give rise to fruitful inquiry that can establish truths of great value.
During the century after Newton, it was still possible for a man of unusual attainments to master all fields of scientific knowledge. But by 1800, this had become entirely impracticable.
All power is God`s power; we are only vehicles. He pulsates in our hearts. He breathes through us. He sings a thousand and one songs through us. Sannyas means to let this understanding become the foundation of your life: We are not, God is. Let the ego disappear, evaporate, and you will find infinite contentment. With the ego there is only misery; without the ego there is only God; and God is bliss, and God is benediction, and God is ecstasy. Die to the ego so that God can live in you.
America - a great social and economic experiment, noble in motive and far-reaching in purpose.
Change of state is not the point; recognizing the Changeless is the point, recognizing primordial Emptiness is the point, and if you are breathing and vaguely awake, that state of consciousness will do just fine.
Kira, the highest thing in man is not his god. It's that in him which knows the reverence due a god. And you, Kira, are my highest reverence.
The constitution of Soviet Russia must insure equal rights for all citizens regardless of sex, creed, race, or nationality.
I stood staring, not as yet realising that this was death leaping from man to man in that little distant crowd.
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