For the fetus, though enclosed in the womb of its mother…
“For the fetus, though enclosed in the womb of its mother, is already a human being, and it is a monstrous crime to rob it of the life which it has not yet begun to enjoy. If it seems more horrible to kill a man in his own house than in a field, because a man's house is his place of most secure refuge, it ought surely to be deemed more atrocious to destroy a fetus in the womb before it has come to light.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A fetus is a human being; ending its potential life is a grave moral crime, more severe than killing a man in his home.
In simple terms: Abortion is a severe moral wrongdoing.
Key Takeaway
Protect unborn life.
Themes
ethics
prolife
human dignity
Mood
solemn
serious
Type
theological
ethical
When to use this quote
- medical ethics
- legislation
- personal belief
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
theology
rights
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines the beginning of personhood?
- How should society balance rights of mother and fetus?
A Different Perspective
Debates on personhood complicate the issue.