Skip to content

For the truth is ... that human beings have neither…

“For the truth is ... that human beings have neither kindness, nor faith, nor charity beyond what serves to increase the pleasure of the moment. They hunt in packs. Their packs scour the desert and vanish screaming into the wilderness. They desert the fallen.” quote by Virginia Woolf
Download Open image
““For the truth is ... that human beings have neither kindness, nor faith, nor charity beyond what serves to increase the pleasure of the moment. They hunt in packs. Their packs scour the desert and vanish screaming into the wilderness. They desert the fallen.””

Virginia Woolf

About This Quote

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

Human kindness and charity are often self‑serving, driven by immediate pleasure, leading to abandonment of the vulnerable.

In simple terms: Kindness is often selfish.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate genuine empathy beyond self‑interest.

Themes

human nature self‑interest empathy

Mood

critical thought‑provoking

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

  • teamwork
  • leadership
  • community support
  • ethical decision‑making

Key Concepts

Moral psychology existentialism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we encourage altruism without selfish motives?
  • What structures support lasting compassion?
A Different Perspective

Self‑interest can dominate even in caring contexts.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Virginia Woolf

Explore all 1,872 Virginia Woolf quotes

More Faith quotes

Browse all 37,796 Faith quotes