I grant men the land, the government, the wealth, all the chances. I accept that you have to hold all the cards, since that's the only way you know how to play; but I refuse to swallow your disrespect.
Pierre BeaumarchaisRead
Drinking when we are not thirsty and making love at all seasons, madam: that is all there is to distinguish us from other animals.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that what sets humans apart from animals is our ability to engage in actions that are not solely driven by necessity.
In this quote, Pierre Beaumarchais emphasizes the uniquely human inclination to indulge in pleasures beyond mere survival needs, such as drinking and lovemaking, which are done not only when one is thirsty or in heat. This reflects on the broader human experience, highlighting our capacity for desire, enjoyment, and the pursuit of pleasure as defining traits that differentiate us from other species.
In practice
During a toast at a wedding, you might use this quote to reflect on the joys of love and indulgence.
I grant men the land, the government, the wealth, all the chances. I accept that you have to hold all the cards, since that's the only way you know how to play; but I refuse to swallow your disrespect.
Where love is concerned, too much is not even enough.
I quickly laugh at everything for fear of having to cry.
Because you are a great lord, you believe yourself to be a great genius. You took the trouble to be born, but no more.
Without the freedom to criticize, there is no true praise.
I hasten to laugh at everything, for fear of being obliged to weep.
[M]en will be free no longer then while they remain virtuous.
American cities are like badger holes, ringed with trash--all of them--surrounded by piles of wrecked and rusting automobiles, and almost smothered in rubbish. Everything we use comes in boxes, cartons, bins, the so-called packaging we love so much. The mountain of things we throw away are much greater than the things we use.
The principle of democracy is a recognition of the sovereign, inalienable rights of man as a gift from God, the Source of law.
A man, as a general rule, owes very little to what he is born with - a man is what he makes of himself.
The present Hindu society is organised only for spiritual men, and hopelessly crushes out everybody else. Why? Where shall they go who want to enjoy the world a little with its frivolities? Just as our religion takes in all, so should our society. This is to be worked out by first understanding the true principles of our religion and then applying them to society. This is the slow but sure work to be done.
This England never did, nor never shall, _x000D_ _x000D_ Lie at the proud foot of a conqueror.
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