--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is often attempted to palliate slavery…" description: "\"“It is often attempted to palliate slavery by comparing the state of slaves with our poorer countrymen: if the misery of our poor be caused not by the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d50/charles-darwin-507_believe-in-god_it-is-often-attempted-to-palliate-slaver_2729252.jpg" --- # It is often attempted to palliate slavery by comparing the… ![“It is often attempted to palliate slavery by comparing the state of slaves with our poorer countrymen: if the misery of our poor be caused not by the laws of nature, but by our institutions, great is our sin; but how this bears on slavery, I cannot see; as well might the use of the thumb-screw be…” quote by Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d50/charles-darwin-507_believe-in-god_it-is-often-attempted-to-palliate-slaver_2729252.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d50/charles-darwin-507_believe-in-god_it-is-often-attempted-to-palliate-slaver_2729252.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d50/charles-darwin-507_believe-in-god_it-is-often-attempted-to-palliate-slaver_2729252.jpg) > ““It is often attempted to palliate slavery by comparing the state of slaves with our poorer countrymen: if the misery of our poor be caused not by the laws of nature, but by our institutions, great is our sin; but how this bears on slavery, I cannot see; as well might the use of the thumb-screw be defended in one land, by showing that men in another land suffered from some dreadful disease. Those who look tenderly at the slave owner, and with a cold heart at the slave, never seem to put themselves into the position of the latter; what a cheerless prospect, with not even a hope of change! picture to yourself the chance, ever hanging over you, of your wife and your little children — those objects which nature urges even the slave to call his own — being torn from you and sold like beasts to the first bidder! And these deeds are done and palliated by men, who profess to love their neighbours as themselves, who believe in God, and pray that his Will be done on earth! It makes one's blood boil, yet heart tremble, to think that we Englishmen and our American descendants, with their boastful cry of liberty, have been and are so guilty...”” [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote condemns moral hypocrisy of societies that claim liberty while perpetuating slavery, urging empathy for the enslaved. **In simple terms:** Condemns hypocrisy and calls for empathy toward slaves. Key Takeaway Recognize and act against systemic injustice. Themes human rights empathy hypocrisy justice Mood indignant reflective Type political ethical When to use this quote - activism - education - policy reform - personal reflection Key Concepts moral philosophy social critique human dignity Questions to Reflect On - How can we translate empathy into concrete action? - What systemic changes are needed to address lingering injustices? 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Those who look tenderly at the slave owner, and with a cold heart at the slave, never seem to put themselves into the position of the latter; what a cheerless prospect, with not even a hope of change! picture to yourself the chance, ever hanging over you, of your wife and your little children — those objects which nature urges even the slave to call his own — being torn from you and sold like beasts to the first bidder! And these deeds are done and palliated by men, who profess to love their neighbours as themselves, who believe in God, and pray that his Will be done on earth! 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