Pain is pain, whether it be inflicted on man or beast; and…
““Pain is pain, whether it be inflicted on man or beast; and the creature that suffers it, whether man or beast, being sensible of the misery of it while it lasts, suffers evil and the sufferance of evil, unmerited, unprovoked, where no offence has been given, and no good can possibly be answered by it, but merely to exhibit power or gratify malice, is Cruelty and Injustice in him that occasions is.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Cruelty is inflicting unnecessary suffering without cause; true injustice stems from unprovoked harm.
In simple terms: Unjust harm is cruelty without reason.
Key Takeaway
Avoid causing needless suffering.
Themes
ethics
cruelty
justice
compassion
rights
Mood
serious
concerned
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- lawmaking
- activism
- personal conduct
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
human rights
animal welfare
Questions to Reflect On
- What actions constitute cruelty?
- How can societies prevent unprovoked harm?
A Different Perspective
Complex philosophical language may obscure meaning.