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I would not enter in my list of friends, Who needlessly…

“I would not enter in my list of friends, Who needlessly sets foot upon a worm. An inadvertent step may crush the snail That crawls at evening in the public path, But he has the humanity, forewarned, Will tread aside, and let the reptile live.” quote by William Cowper
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“I would not enter in my list of friends, Who needlessly sets foot upon a worm. An inadvertent step may crush the snail That crawls at evening in the public path, But he has the humanity, forewarned, Will tread aside, and let the reptile live.”

William Cowper

About This Quote

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

Treat even the smallest creatures with care, as all life deserves respect and consideration.

In simple terms: Respect all living beings, even tiny ones.

Key Takeaway

Be mindful of your impact on others.

Themes

compassion respect environmental ethics

Mood

thoughtful empathetic

Type

ethical reflective

When to use this quote

  • gardening
  • urban walking
  • public transport
  • wildlife observation

Key Concepts

ethical mindfulness stewardship

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you ensure you don't unintentionally harm the vulnerable?
  • What small actions can protect unnoticed life?
A Different Perspective

Neglecting small harms can accumulate into larger damage.

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