I am persuaded that if the brutes even--if the dog, the…
“I am persuaded that if the brutes even--if the dog, the horse, the ox, the elephant, the bird, could speak, they would confess, that, at the bottom of their nature, their instincts, their sensations, their obtuse intelligence, assisted by organs less perfect than ours, there is a clouded, secret sentiment of this existence of a superior and primordial Being, from whom all emanates, and to whom all returns.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote suggests that even animals, if capable of speech, would recognize a hidden, innate sense of a higher, primordial creator that underlies all life.
In simple terms: Animals might sense a higher creator.
Key Takeaway
Consider the humility of recognizing a shared divine source.
Themes
spirituality
nature
humility
Mood
contemplative
reverent
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- environmental ethics
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
theology
animal consciousness
metaphysics
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you feel a shared spiritual thread with other living beings?
- How does this view affect your respect for nature?
A Different Perspective
The claim relies on speculation about animal cognition and may not be empirically provable.