--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This compassion, or sympathy with the…" description: "\"“This compassion, or sympathy with the pains of others, ought also to extend to the brute creation, as far as our necessities will admit; for we cannot..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a7/erasmus-darwin-17186_compassion_this-compassion-or-sympathy-with-the-pai_1412819.jpg" --- # This compassion, or sympathy with the pains of others… ![“This compassion, or sympathy with the pains of others, ought also to extend to the brute creation, as far as our necessities will admit; for we cannot exist long without the destruction of other animal or vegetable beings either in their mature or embryon state. Such is the condition of mortality…” quote by Erasmus Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a7/erasmus-darwin-17186_compassion_this-compassion-or-sympathy-with-the-pai_1412819.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a7/erasmus-darwin-17186_compassion_this-compassion-or-sympathy-with-the-pai_1412819.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a7/erasmus-darwin-17186_compassion_this-compassion-or-sympathy-with-the-pai_1412819.jpg) > ““This compassion, or sympathy with the pains of others, ought also to extend to the brute creation, as far as our necessities will admit; for we cannot exist long without the destruction of other animal or vegetable beings either in their mature or embryon state. Such is the condition of mortality, that the first law of nature is 'eat, or be eaten.' Hence for the preservation of our existence we may be supposed to have a natural right to kill those brute creatures, which we want to eat, or which want to eat us; but to destroy even insects wantonly shows an unreflecting mind, or a depraved heart.”” [Erasmus Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erasmus-darwin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human compassion should extend to animals, but survival necessitates killing when needed; needless harm shows moral failing. **In simple terms:** We should care for animals but may kill for survival; needless killing is immoral. Key Takeaway Balance empathy with practical survival needs. Themes ethics animal rights survival morality compassion Mood thoughtful concerned reflective Type philosophical ethical environmental When to use this quote - dietary choices - farming practices - wildlife management - environmental policy Key Concepts anthropocentrism natural law utilitarianism Questions to Reflect On - How do we decide which animals deserve protection? - When is killing justified for survival? A Different Perspective Humans also cause suffering; absolute non‑violence may be unrealistic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Law of nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law-of-nature/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Sympathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sympathy/) ## Related quotes > [It is a law of nature we overlook, that intellectual versatility is the compensation for change, danger, and trouble. An animal perfectly in harmony…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-a-law-of-nature-we-overlook-that-intellectual-versatility-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The closest thing to a law of nature in business is that form has an affinity for expense, while substance has an affinity for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-hock/the-closest-thing-to-a-law-of-nature-in-business-is-that-form-has-an/) [Dee Hock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-hock/) > [It is a law of nature we overlook, that intellectual versatility is the compensation for change, danger, and trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-g-wells/it-is-a-law-of-nature-we-overlook-that-intellectual-versatility-is-2/) [H. G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-g-wells/) > [It is a common law of nature, which no time will ever change, that superiors shall rule their inferiors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dionysius-of-halicarnassus/it-is-a-common-law-of-nature-which-no-time-will-ever-change-that/) [Dionysius of Halicarnassus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dionysius-of-halicarnassus/) > [Money never made any man rich, but his mind. He that can order himself to the law of nature, is not only without the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/money-never-made-any-man-rich-but-his-mind-he-that-can-order-himself/) [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) > [“The evolution of higher and of lower forms of life is as well and as soundly established as the eternal hills. It has long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fairfield-osborn/the-evolution-of-higher-and-of-lower-forms-of-life-is-as-well-and-as/) [Henry Fairfield Osborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fairfield-osborn/) > [It seems like the first law of Nature is that everybody likes to receive things, but nobody likes to feel grateful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zora-neale-hurston/it-seems-like-the-first-law-of-nature-is-that-everybody-likes-to/) [Zora Neale Hurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zora-neale-hurston/) > [Among the natural rights of the colonists are these: first, a right to life; second, to liberty; third, to property; together with the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/among-the-natural-rights-of-the-colonists-are-these-first-a-right-to/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) > [“I grieved to think how brief the dream of the human intellect had been. It had committed suicide. It had set itself steadfastly towards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-g-wells-2/i-grieved-to-think-how-brief-the-dream-of-the-human-intellect-had/) [H.G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-g-wells-2/) > [I can tell you for sure: people who are at their peak right now will not sustain that. You can't. It's against the law…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-cranston/i-can-tell-you-for-sure-people-who-are-at-their-peak-right-now-will/) [Bryan Cranston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-cranston/) > [Upon these two foundations, the law of nature and the law of revelation, depend all human laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blackstone/upon-these-two-foundations-the-law-of-nature-and-the-law-of/) [William Blackstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blackstone/) > [ \[The aim of science is\] to explain what so far has taken to be an explicans, such as a law of nature. The task… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-popper/the-aim-of-science-is-to-explain-what-so-far-has-taken-to-be-an/) [Karl Popper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-popper/) > [“Remember that your dominating thoughts attract, through a definite law of nature, by the shortest and most convenient route, their physical counterpart. Be careful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/remember-that-your-dominating-thoughts-attract-through-a-definite-law/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [In the state of nature, wrong-doing is impossible; or, if anyone does wrong, it is to himself, not to another. For no one by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baruch-spinoza/in-the-state-of-nature-wrong-doing-is-impossible-or-if-anyone-does/) [Baruch Spinoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baruch-spinoza/) > [“That law of nature whereby everything climbs to higher platforms, and bodily vigor becomes mental and moral vigor. The bread he eats is first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/that-law-of-nature-whereby-everything-climbs-to-higher-platforms-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More by Erasmus Darwin > [Till o'er the wreck, emerging from the storm, Immortal Nature lifts her changeful form: Mounts from her funeral pyre on wings of flame, And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erasmus-darwin/till-o-er-the-wreck-emerging-from-the-storm-immortal-nature-lifts-her/) [Erasmus Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erasmus-darwin/) > [Such is the condition of organic nature! whose first law might be expressed in the words 'Eat or be eaten!' and which would seem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erasmus-darwin/such-is-the-condition-of-organic-nature-whose-first-law-might-be/) [Erasmus Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erasmus-darwin/) > [ \[Retirement\] is a dangerous experiment, and generally ends in either drunkenness or hypochrondriacism. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erasmus-darwin/retirement-is-a-dangerous-experiment-and-generally-ends-in-either/) [Erasmus Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erasmus-darwin/) > [“The mass starts into a million suns; Earths round each sun with quick explosions burst, And second planets issue from the first. \[The first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erasmus-darwin/the-mass-starts-into-a-million-suns-earths-round-each-sun-with-quick/) [Erasmus Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erasmus-darwin/) > [The Reproductions of the living Ens From sires to sons, unknown to sex, commence... Unknown to sex the pregnant oyster swells, And coral-insects build…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erasmus-darwin/the-reproductions-of-the-living-ens-from-sires-to-sons-unknown-to-sex/) [Erasmus Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erasmus-darwin/) > [The mass starts into a million suns; Earths round each sun with quick explosions burst, And second planets issue from the first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erasmus-darwin/the-mass-starts-into-a-million-suns-earths-round-each-sun-with-quick-2/) [Erasmus Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erasmus-darwin/) > [By firm immutable immortal laws Impress'd on Nature by the GREAT FIRST CAUSE, Say, MUSE! how rose from elemental strife Organic forms, and kindled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erasmus-darwin/by-firm-immutable-immortal-laws-impress-d-on-nature-by-the-great/) [Erasmus Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erasmus-darwin/) > [ Opium is the only drug to' be rely'd on-all the boasted nostrums only take up time, and as the disease \[is\] often of short… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erasmus-darwin/opium-is-the-only-drug-to-be-rely-d-on-all-the-boasted-nostrums-only/) [Erasmus Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erasmus-darwin/) > [The great CREATOR of all things has infinitely diversified the works of his hands, but has at the same time stamped a certain similitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erasmus-darwin/the-great-creator-of-all-things-has-infinitely-diversified-the-works/) [Erasmus Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erasmus-darwin/) > [Some philosophers have been of opinion that our immortal part acquires during this life certain habits of action or of sentiment, which become forever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erasmus-darwin/some-philosophers-have-been-of-opinion-that-our-immortal-part/) [Erasmus Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erasmus-darwin/) > [In fact the a priori reasoning is so entirely satisfactory to me that if the facts won't fit in, why so much the worse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erasmus-darwin/in-fact-the-a-priori-reasoning-is-so-entirely-satisfactory-to-me-that/) [Erasmus Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erasmus-darwin/) > [“It is often hazardous to marry an heiress, as she is not unfrequently the last of a diseased family.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erasmus-darwin/it-is-often-hazardous-to-marry-an-heiress-as-she-is-not-unfrequently/) [Erasmus Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erasmus-darwin/) > [So the horns of the stag are sharp to offend his adversary, but are branched for the purpose of parrying or receiving the thrusts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erasmus-darwin/so-the-horns-of-the-stag-are-sharp-to-offend-his-adversary-but-are/) [Erasmus Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erasmus-darwin/) > [No radiant pearl which crested Fortune wears, No gem that twinkling hangs from Beauty's ears, Not the bright stars which Night's blue arch adorn,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erasmus-darwin/no-radiant-pearl-which-crested-fortune-wears-no-gem-that-twinkling/) [Erasmus Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erasmus-darwin/) > [A fool, Mr, Edgeworth, is one who has never made an experiment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erasmus-darwin/a-fool-mr-edgeworth-is-one-who-has-never-made-an-experiment/) [Erasmus Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erasmus-darwin/) [Explore all 38 Erasmus Darwin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erasmus-darwin/) ## More Compassion quotes > [Half the misery of human life might be extinguished if men would alleviate the general curse they lie under by mutual offices of compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/half-the-misery-of-human-life-might-be-extinguished-if-men-would/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“I fight with love and kindness as my weapons and compassion as my defense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/i-fight-with-love-and-kindness-as-my-weapons-and-compassion-as-my/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“If you refuse to use physical force, then you will be at the mercy of your oppressor!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/segun-magbagbeola/if-you-refuse-to-use-physical-force-then-you-will-be-at-the-mercy-of/) Segun Magbagbeola > [For some reason, we are truly convinced that if we criticize ourselves, the criticism will lead to change. If we are harsh, we believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/for-some-reason-we-are-truly-convinced-that-if-we-criticize-ourselves/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We are puzzled and bewildered whenever we see suffering in this world because we have become accustomed to the mercy and the long-suffering of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/we-are-puzzled-and-bewildered-whenever-we-see-suffering-in-this-world/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [“Helpers in every corner, helpers in every hood. That's how we'll make the move, to reform from rude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/helpers-in-every-corner-helpers-in-every-hood-that-s-how-we-ll-make/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [May the gods have mercy on whoever pisses them off, because Zarek and Jericho will have none for them. (Madoc) You’d better be glad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/may-the-gods-have-mercy-on-whoever-pisses-them-off-because-zarek-and/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-you-need-empathy-you-cannot-give-empathy/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [But victimhood was seductive, a release from responsibility and caring. Fear would be transmuted into weary resignation; failure would no longer generate guilt but,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/but-victimhood-was-seductive-a-release-from-responsibility-and-caring/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“No one has any right to tell you that the way you perceive yourself is wrong. Because by doing so, they also discourage the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/no-one-has-any-right-to-tell-you-that-the-way-you-perceive-yourself/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [“la ilaha ilallah muhammadun rasulullah, alaihi salatullah wa alihi wal ahibba "shine your mercy like the sun, and be gracious as the earth let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-al-habib/la-ilaha-ilallah-muhammadun-rasulullah-alaihi-salatullah-wa-alihi-wal/) Talib al Habib > [The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/the-love-for-all-living-creatures-is-the-most-noble-attribute-of-man/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) [Browse all 9,892 Compassion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“This compassion, or sympathy with the pains of others, ought also to extend to the brute creation, as far as our necessities will admit; for we cannot exist long without the destruction of other animal or vegetable beings either in their mature or embryon state. Such is the condition of mortality, that the first law of nature is 'eat, or be eaten.' Hence for the preservation of our existence we may be supposed to have a natural right to kill those brute creatures, which we want to eat, or which want to eat us; but to destroy even insects wantonly shows an unreflecting mind, or a depraved heart.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Erasmus Darwin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erasmus-darwin/this-compassion-or-sympathy-with-the-pains-of-others-ought-also-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compassion" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erasmus-darwin/this-compassion-or-sympathy-with-the-pains-of-others-ought-also-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a7/erasmus-darwin-17186_compassion_this-compassion-or-sympathy-with-the-pai_1412819.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a7/erasmus-darwin-17186_compassion_this-compassion-or-sympathy-with-the-pai_1412819.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a7/erasmus-darwin-17186_compassion_this-compassion-or-sympathy-with-the-pai_1412819.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“This compassion, or sympathy with the pains of others, ought also to extend to the brute creation, as far as…” — Erasmus Darwin", "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": "Erasmus Darwin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erasmus-darwin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“This compassion, or sympathy with the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erasmus-darwin/this-compassion-or-sympathy-with-the-pains-of-others-ought-also-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erasmus-darwin/this-compassion-or-sympathy-with-the-pains-of-others-ought-also-to/#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 } } ] } ```