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Never blame the man: his hard-pressed Ancestors formed…

“Never blame the man: his hard-pressed Ancestors formed him: the other anthropoid apes were safe In the great southern rain-forest and hardly changed In a million years: but the race of man was made By shock and agony… … a wound was made in the brain When life became too hard, and has never healed…” quote by Robinson Jeffers
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““Never blame the man: his hard-pressed Ancestors formed him: the other anthropoid apes were safe In the great southern rain-forest and hardly changed In a million years: but the race of man was made By shock and agony… … a wound was made in the brain When life became too hard, and has never healed. It is there that they learned trembling religion and blood- sacrifice, It is there that they learned to butcher beasts and to slaughter men, And hate the world.””

Robinson Jeffers

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Human evolution is marked by suffering and violence, leading to religion and blood‑sacrifice as coping mechanisms.

In simple terms: Human progress is tied to pain and violence.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the cost of progress.

Themes

suffering violence religion

Mood

somber reflective

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • historical analysis
  • ethical debates
  • personal reflection

Key Concepts

anthropology philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

  • What drives humanity toward violence?
  • Can compassion replace suffering?
A Different Perspective

May oversimplify complex human history.

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