Goodwill to all.' I know it's techinically 'goodwill to…
““Goodwill to all.' I know it's techinically 'goodwill to all men,' but in my mind, I drop the 'men' because that feels segregationist/elitist/sexist/generally bad ist. Goodwill shouldn't be just for men. It should also apply to women and children, and all animals, even the yucky ones like subway rats. I'd even extend the goodwill not just to living creatures but to the dearly departed, and if we include them, we might as well include the undead, those supposedly mythic beings like vampires, and if they're in, then so are elves, fairies, and gnomes. Heck, since we're already being so generous in our big group hug, why not also embrace those supposedly inanimate objects like dolls and stuffed animals. I'm sure Santa would agree. 'Goodwill to all.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker expands “goodwill to all” beyond humans to include all beings, even mythical and inanimate, rejecting exclusionary language.
In simple terms: Extend kindness to every creature and thing, real or imagined.
Key Takeaway
Practice inclusive compassion.
Themes
inclusion
compassion
ethics
humor
Mood
playful
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
humorous
When to use this quote
- activism
- community building
- creative writing
- social media discourse
Key Concepts
anthropomorphism
universalism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance inclusive language with clarity?
- What limits exist in extending goodwill to non-sentient objects?
A Different Perspective
May dilute the original intent, making it less actionable.