What I build upon I shall be told is a folly that wise men…
“What I build upon I shall be told is a folly that wise men are not guilty of: I own it; but whilst it proceeds from a real passion inherent in our nature, it is sufficient to demonstrate that we are born with a repugnancy to the killing, and consequently the eating of animals; for it is impossible that a natural appetite should ever prompt us to act, or desire others to do, what we have an aversion to, be it as foolish as it will.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author acknowledges that building upon a folly is justified by a natural aversion to killing and eating animals, suggesting inherent moral conflict.
In simple terms: People feel an innate repulsion toward killing and eating animals, even when rationalized.
Key Takeaway
Respect inherent moral instincts about animal life.
Themes
ethics
animal rights
human nature
conflict
moral intuition
Mood
thoughtful
conflicted
ethical
Type
Animal:0
Animal - rights:1
Appetite:0
Aversion:1
Born:0
Desire:0
Eating:0
Folly:0
Foolish:0
Guilty:0
Impossible:0
Inherent:1
Killing:0
Men:0
Natural:0
Nature:0
Not guilty:0
Passion:0
Prompts:0
Real:0
Should:0
Sufficient:0
Wisdom:0
Wise:0
Wise men:0
Folly Wise:0
Shall Told:0
Told Folly:0
Aversion Foolish:0
When to use this quote
- dietary choices
- activism
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
philosophy
biology
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives your dietary choices?
- Can moral intuition be overridden by culture?
A Different Perspective
Rational arguments may not overcome deep-seated aversion.