The creatures who act as though they belong to the world…
““The creatures who act as though they belong to the world follow the peace-keeping law, and because they follow that law, they give the creatures around them a chance to grow toward whatever it’s possible for them to become. That’s how man came into being. The creatures around Australopithecus didn’t imagine that the world belonged to them, so they let him live and grow. How does being civilized come into it? Does being civilized mean that you have to destroy the world?” “No.” “Does being civilized make you incapable of giving the creatures around you a little space in which to live?” “No.” “Does it make you incapable of living as harmlessly as sharks and tarantulas and rattlesnakes?” “No.” “Does it make you incapable of following a law that even snails and earthworms manage to follow without any difficulty?” “No.” “As I pointed out some time ago, human settlement isn’t against the law, it’s subject to the law—and the same is true of civilization.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human beings must coexist with other species, respecting natural laws that even simple organisms follow.
In simple terms: Live with others, follow natural laws.
Key Takeaway
Respect ecological limits.
Themes
ethics
environment
coexistence
Mood
thoughtful
concerned
Type
ethical
environmental
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- conservation
- education
- policy making
Key Concepts
ecology
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “civilized” mean to you?
- How can we honor simple laws in modern life?
A Different Perspective
Human progress often ignores these simple laws.