Animals Quote by Clarence Day
“The creatures that want to live a life of their own, we call wild. If wild, then no matter how harmless, we treat them as outlaws, and those of us who are specially well brought up shoot them for fun.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Wild in Civilization, Clarence Day, 1935
Society labels natural creatures as dangerous, leading to their exploitation for sport.
In simple terms: We treat wild things as outlaws.
Key Takeaway
Respect wildlife and avoid needless harm.
Themes
nature
civilization
exploitation
ethics
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
ethical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- hunting
- wildlife conservation
- urban wildlife encounters
Key Concepts
environmental ethics
human‑animal relations
social constructs
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we view wildness as threatening?
- How can we shift from exploitation to stewardship?
A Different Perspective
Cultural attitudes can be hard to change.
