Intelligence and education that hasn't been tempered by human affection isn't worth a damn.
Daniel KeyesRead
How strange it is that people of honest feelings and sensibilty, who would not take advantage of a man born without arms or legs or eyes—how such people think nothing of abusing a man with low intelligence.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote criticizes the hypocrisy of society in how it treats those with disabilities versus those with intellectual challenges.
Daniel Keyes highlights a troubling inconsistency in human compassion. He points out that while people may be horrified at the idea of exploiting someone physically disabled, they often overlook the mistreatment of individuals who are intellectually disabled. This quote invites readers to reflect on the biases and prejudices that exist within society and challenges us to extend our empathy and respect to all individuals, regardless of their capabilities.
Themes
CompassionEmpathyDisabilityIntelligenceRespect
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in discussions about inclusion and accessibility.
More from Daniel Keyes
All quotes →Remembering how my mother looked before she gave birth to my sister is frightening. But even more frightening is the feeling that I wanted them to catch me and beat me. Why did I want to be punished? Shadows out of the past clutch at my legs and drag me down. I open my mouth to scream, but I am voiceless. My hands are trembling, I feel cold, and there is a distant humming in my ears.
Daniel KeyesRead
How can I make him understand that he did not create me? He makes the same mistake as the others when they look at a feeble-minded person and laugh because they don't understand there are human feelings involved.
Daniel KeyesRead
Im like a man whos been half-asleep all his life, trying to find out what he was like before he woke up.
Daniel KeyesRead
No one really starts anything new, Mrs. Nemur. Everyone builds on other men's failures. There is nothing really original in science. What each man contributes to the sum of knowledge is what counts.
Daniel KeyesRead
The path I choose through the maze makes me what I am. I am not only a thing, but also a way of being--one of many ways--and knowing the paths I have followed and the ones left to take will help me understand what I am becoming.
Daniel KeyesRead
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