--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Humankind differs from the animals only…" description: "\"Humankind differs from the animals only by a little and most people throw that away.\" — Confucius" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ab/confucius-164_animal_humankind-differs-from-the-animals-only_1680023.jpg" --- # Humankind differs from the animals only by a little and… ![“Humankind differs from the animals only by a little and most people throw that away.” quote by Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ab/confucius-164_animal_humankind-differs-from-the-animals-only_1680023.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ab/confucius-164_animal_humankind-differs-from-the-animals-only_1680023.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ab/confucius-164_animal_humankind-differs-from-the-animals-only_1680023.jpg) > “Humankind differs from the animals only by a little and most people throw that away.” [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humanity differs slightly from animals; most discard this distinction, losing moral insight. **In simple terms:** People often ignore their unique humanity. Key Takeaway Cultivate and protect what makes us human. Themes humanity morality animality Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - education - leadership - community building Key Concepts ethics philosophy anthropology Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of humanity do you neglect? - How can you reinforce moral awareness? A Different Perspective Neglecting humanity can lead to moral decay. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Animals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals/) [Humankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humankind/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [“Mankind differs from the animals only by a little and most people throw that away.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/mankind-differs-from-the-animals-only-by-a-little-and-most-people/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [I love animals. With animals you never know what you're getting. Everybody says don't mess with animals and little kids in movies but those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gordon-green/i-love-animals-with-animals-you-never-know-what-you-re-getting/) [David Gordon Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gordon-green/) > [You know, that stuff about pink elephants, that's the bunk. It's little animals. Little tiny turkeys in straw hats. Midget monkeys coming through the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-wilder/you-know-that-stuff-about-pink-elephants-that-s-the-bunk-it-s-little/) [Billy Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-wilder/) > [What makes a home home? Animals, and a little bit of clutter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chevy-chase/what-makes-a-home-home-animals-and-a-little-bit-of-clutter/) [Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) > [I really loved animals when I was little - my friend and I had an imaginary vet's office; we would mime doing surgery on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-murray/i-really-loved-animals-when-i-was-little-my-friend-and-i-had-an/) [Hannah Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-murray/) > [There is much to be learned from the little kids and from the little animals! Little things teach us big things! Small candles too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/there-is-much-to-be-learned-from-the-little-kids-and-from-the-little/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Virginity, albeit some highly prize it, Compared with marriage, had you tried them both, Differs as much as wine and water doth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-marlowe/virginity-albeit-some-highly-prize-it-compared-with-marriage-had-you/) [Christopher Marlowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-marlowe/) > ["Legacy code" often differs from its suggested alternative by actually working and scaling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bjarne-stroustrup/legacy-code-often-differs-from-its-suggested-alternative-by-actually/) [Bjarne Stroustrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bjarne-stroustrup/) > [That each from other differs, first confess; next that he varies from himself no less.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/that-each-from-other-differs-first-confess-next-that-he-varies-from/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [“Do not condemn the judgement of another because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dandemis/do-not-condemn-the-judgement-of-another-because-it-differs-from-your/) Dandemis > [These differences, they say, are three: shape, arrangement, and position; because they hold that what is differs only in contour, inter-contact, inclination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/these-differences-they-say-are-three-shape-arrangement-and-position/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [The morning glory which blooms for an hour differs not at heart from a giant pine that lives for a thousand years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-watts/the-morning-glory-which-blooms-for-an-hour-differs-not-at-heart-from/) [Alan Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-watts/) > [“The Divine "goodness" differs from ours, but it is not sheerly different; it differs from ours not as white from black, but as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/the-divine-goodness-differs-from-ours-but-it-is-not-sheerly-different/) [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [The novelist's intuition for the sacred differs from the translator's interrogation of the sacred.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-ozick/the-novelist-s-intuition-for-the-sacred-differs-from-the-translator-s/) [Cynthia Ozick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-ozick/) > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) ## More by Confucius > [Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/attack-the-evil-that-is-within-yourself-rather-than-attacking-the/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The superior man is distressed by his want (lack) of ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-is-distressed-by-his-want-lack-of-ability/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [In ancient times, those who wished to illuminate the world with virtue first brought order to their nations. Wishing to order well their nations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/in-ancient-times-those-who-wished-to-illuminate-the-world-with-virtue/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Better than the one who knows what is right is the one who loves what is right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/better-than-the-one-who-knows-what-is-right-is-the-one-who-loves-what/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Knowledge is merely brilliance in organization of ideas and not wisdom. The truly wise person goes beyond knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/knowledge-is-merely-brilliance-in-organization-of-ideas-and-not/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [I live in a very small house, but my windows look out on a very large world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/i-live-in-a-very-small-house-but-my-windows-look-out-on-a-very-large/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to business, and sincerity; economy in expenditure, and love for men;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-rule-a-country-of-a-thousand-chariots-there-must-be-reverent/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The real fault is to have faults and not amend them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-real-fault-is-to-have-faults-and-not-amend-them/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-know-what-you-know-and-what-you-do-not-know-that-is-true-knowledge/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [A picture is poem without words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-picture-is-poem-without-words/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Heaven means to be one with God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/heaven-means-to-be-one-with-god/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Does Heaven ever speak? The four seasons come and go, and all creatures thrive and grow. Does Heaven ever speak!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/does-heaven-ever-speak-the-four-seasons-come-and-go-and-all-creatures/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [To study and at times practice what one has learned, is this not a pleasure?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-study-and-at-times-practice-what-one-has-learned-is-this-not-a/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/recompense-injury-with-justice-and-recompense-kindness-with-kindness/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [There is only one thing in life which never changes, and it is change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/there-is-only-one-thing-in-life-which-never-changes-and-it-is-change/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) [Explore all 1,019 Confucius quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) ## More Animal quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Animals know nothing of themselves, and they also know nothing of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/animals-know-nothing-of-themselves-and-they-also-know-nothing-of-the/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Humans are animals too, but some do not like to work from expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/humans-are-animals-too-but-some-do-not-like-to-work-from-expectations/) Mak\_786 > [When grubbing for necessities man is still an animal. He becomes uniquely human when he reaches out for the superfluous and extravagant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/when-grubbing-for-necessities-man-is-still-an-animal-he-becomes/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/a-horse-a-horse-my-kingdom-for-a-horse/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“it is a federal system of sadistic torture, vivisection, and animal genocide, which has been carried on for decades under the fraudulent guise of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-tobias/it-is-a-federal-system-of-sadistic-torture-vivisection-and-animal/) [Michael Tobias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-tobias/) > [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? The idea is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. It means to know that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-becker/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-self-conscious-animal-the-idea-is-ludicrous/) [Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/) > [We must love animals in such a powerful way that we should reject to eat them!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/we-must-love-animals-in-such-a-powerful-way-that-we-should-reject-to/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“The universe contains any amount of horrible ways to be woken up, such as the noise of the mob breaking down the front door,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-universe-contains-any-amount-of-horrible-ways-to-be-woken-up-such/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [This brings me back to the image of Kafka standing before a fish in the Berlin aquarium, a fish on which his gaze fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/this-brings-me-back-to-the-image-of-kafka-standing-before-a-fish-in/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [That dog, I say that dog is lower than a snake full of buckshot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/foghorn-leghorn/that-dog-i-say-that-dog-is-lower-than-a-snake-full-of-buckshot/) [Foghorn Leghorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/foghorn-leghorn/) > [I bet plants go like 'Weeeeeeeee!' whenever they're swallowed by a giraffe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-bet-plants-go-like-weeeeeeeee-whenever-they-re-swallowed-by-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Animal rights without veganism is like human rights with slavery. It makes no sense. None whatsoever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-l-francione/animal-rights-without-veganism-is-like-human-rights-with-slavery-it/) [Gary L. Francione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-l-francione/) [Browse all 13,456 Animal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Humankind differs from the animals only by a little and most people throw that away.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Confucius" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/humankind-differs-from-the-animals-only-by-a-little-and-most-people/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Animal" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/humankind-differs-from-the-animals-only-by-a-little-and-most-people/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ab/confucius-164_animal_humankind-differs-from-the-animals-only_1680023.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ab/confucius-164_animal_humankind-differs-from-the-animals-only_1680023.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ab/confucius-164_animal_humankind-differs-from-the-animals-only_1680023.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Humankind differs from the animals only by a little and most people throw that away.” — Confucius", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Confucius", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Humankind differs from the animals only...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/humankind-differs-from-the-animals-only-by-a-little-and-most-people/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/humankind-differs-from-the-animals-only-by-a-little-and-most-people/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```