But are his needs any more shocking than the needs of any…
““But are his needs any more shocking than the needs of any other animals and men? Are his deeds more outrageous than the deeds of the parent who drained the spirit from his child? The vampire may foster quickened heartbeats and levitated hair. But is he worse than the parent who gave to society a neurotic child who became a politician? Is he worse than the manufacturer who set up belated foundations with the money he made by handing bombs and guns to suicidal nationalists? Is he worse than the distiller who gave bastardized grain juice to stultify further the brains of those who, sober, were incapable of progressive thought? (Nay, I apologize for this calumny; I nip the brew that feeds me.) Is he worse, then, than the publisher who filled ubiquitous racks with lust and death wishes? Really, no, search your soul, lovie--is the vampire so bad?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage questions whether supernatural evil is more harmful than human-caused societal harms, suggesting moral responsibility lies with human actions.
In simple terms: It asks if monsters are worse than people who cause real-world damage.
Key Takeaway
Consider the true impact of our choices.
Themes
morality
human nature
evil
responsibility
societal harm
Mood
thoughtful
critical
somber
Type
philosophical
ethical
reflective
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- weapon manufacturing
- media influence
- parenting
- public health
Key Concepts
philosophical
ethical critique
comparative analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities do we bear for the consequences of our creations?
- How do we measure harm across different domains?
A Different Perspective
Human actions can cause greater suffering than fictional monsters.