---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you meet anything that's going to be…"
description: "\"When you meet anything that's going to be human and isn't yet, or used to be human once and isn't now, or ought to be human and isn't, you keep your ey..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecc/cs-lewis-10887_feel_when-you-meet-anything-that-s-going-to-b_445185.jpg"
---

#  When you meet anything that's going to be human and isn't…

![“When you meet anything that's going to be human and isn't yet, or used to be human once and isn't now, or ought to be human and isn't, you keep your eyes on it and feel for your hatchet.” quote by CS Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecc/cs-lewis-10887_feel_when-you-meet-anything-that-s-going-to-b_445185.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecc/cs-lewis-10887_feel_when-you-meet-anything-that-s-going-to-b_445185.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecc/cs-lewis-10887_feel_when-you-meet-anything-that-s-going-to-b_445185.jpg)

> “When you meet anything that's going to be human and isn't yet, or used to be human once and isn't now, or ought to be human and isn't, you keep your eyes on it and feel for your hatchet.”

[CS Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cs-lewis/)

## About This Quote

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

When confronting entities that lack humanity, we must remain vigilant and critically assess them, rather than accepting them unexamined.

**In simple terms:** Stay alert to dehumanizing forces.

Key Takeaway

Question the humanity of what you encounter.

Themes

humanity ethics vigilance critical thinking technology

Mood

thoughtful reflective

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

- AI development
- social policy
- cultural change

Key Concepts

dehumanization philosophy morality

Questions to Reflect On

- What defines humanity in your view?
- How can you balance caution with compassion?

A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on suspicion may hinder empathy.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/)

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Browse all 26,675 Feel quotes

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