--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Why must we draw these lines, these fine…" description: "\"“Why must we draw these lines, these fine distinctions, these labels and barriers that set us apart? Ace and nat and joker, capitalist and communist, C..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/691/george-r-r-martin-48_distinctions_why-must-we-draw-these-lines-these-fine_2911412.jpg" --- # Why must we draw these lines, these fine distinctions… ![“Why must we draw these lines, these fine distinctions, these labels and barriers that set us apart? Ace and nat and joker, capitalist and communist, Catholic and Protestant, Arab and Jew, Indian and Latino, and on and on everywhere, and of course true humanity is to be found only on our side of…” quote by George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/691/george-r-r-martin-48_distinctions_why-must-we-draw-these-lines-these-fine_2911412.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/691/george-r-r-martin-48_distinctions_why-must-we-draw-these-lines-these-fine_2911412.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/691/george-r-r-martin-48_distinctions_why-must-we-draw-these-lines-these-fine_2911412.jpg) > ““Why must we draw these lines, these fine distinctions, these labels and barriers that set us apart? Ace and nat and joker, capitalist and communist, Catholic and Protestant, Arab and Jew, Indian and Latino, and on and on everywhere, and of course true humanity is to be found only on our side of the line and we feel free to oppress and rape and kill the "other," whoever he might be. (From the Journal of Xavier Desmond)”” [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Artificial divisions create conflict; true humanity transcends labels and borders. **In simple terms:** Labels divide, humanity unites. Key Takeaway Seek common ground beyond categories. Themes conflict humanity labels Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - political debates - interfaith dialogues - community building Key Concepts philosophy social theory Questions to Reflect On - What labels do you hold that limit empathy? - How can you bridge perceived differences? A Different Perspective Overcoming ingrained biases is difficult and requires effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Distinctions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinctions/) [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Humanity Line](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity-line-4195077/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [True Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-humanity-364886/) [Xavier Desmond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/xavier-desmond-4195078/) ## Related quotes > [True humanity consists not in a squeamish ear; it consists not in starting or shrinking at tales of misery, but in a disposition of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-james/true-humanity-consists-not-in-a-squeamish-ear-it-consists-not-in/) [Charles James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-james/) > [“True humanity knows no animosity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-kristian-goldmund-aumann/true-humanity-knows-no-animosity/) [Sir Kristian Goldmund Aumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-kristian-goldmund-aumann/) > [“Sharing your success with others reveals your true humanity. Don't ever be afraid to open your heart to that practice. It has made all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-michaels/sharing-your-success-with-others-reveals-your-true-humanity-don-t/) [Andrea Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-michaels/) > [“Just as true humour is laughter at oneself, true humanity is knowledge of oneself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-wilson-watts/just-as-true-humour-is-laughter-at-oneself-true-humanity-is-knowledge/) [Alan Wilson Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-wilson-watts/) > [“If true humanity is bound up in community with God and godly community with others, I will never experience it when all my eyes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/if-true-humanity-is-bound-up-in-community-with-god-and-godly/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) > [We have set out on a quest for true humanity, and somewhere on the distant horizon we can see the glittering prize. Let us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/we-have-set-out-on-a-quest-for-true-humanity-and-somewhere-on-the/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [“True humanity demands that every human should be loved equally, but if that's not possible for you then at least love whoever you wants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/true-humanity-demands-that-every-human-should-be-loved-equally-but-if/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [I could make a film in front of a wall if I knew how to find the data of man's true humanity and how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luchino-visconti/i-could-make-a-film-in-front-of-a-wall-if-i-knew-how-to-find-the-data/) [Luchino Visconti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luchino-visconti/) > [“This is how I see humanity. When enemies come to your country, destroy the countryside and your village, kill your countrymen, your comrades and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-mangold/this-is-how-i-see-humanity-when-enemies-come-to-your-country-destroy/) [Tom Mangold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-mangold/) > [Stanley didn't shy away from true humanity or from the ugliness that all people are capable of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-modine/stanley-didn-t-shy-away-from-true-humanity-or-from-the-ugliness-that/) [Matthew Modine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-modine/) > [Just as true humor is laughter at oneself, true humanity is knowledge of oneself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/just-as-true-humor-is-laughter-at-oneself-true-humanity-is-knowledge/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“True humanity is always connected to glory, and true glory can only be found in the One who is glory, the Lord.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/true-humanity-is-always-connected-to-glory-and-true-glory-can-only-be/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) > [To those of us who remained committed mainly to the exploration of moral distinctions and ambiguities, the feminist analysis may have seemed a particularly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/to-those-of-us-who-remained-committed-mainly-to-the-exploration-of/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [The distinctions of fine art bore me to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/the-distinctions-of-fine-art-bore-me-to-death/) [Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/) > [Many persons have been confused and discouraged at the very outset of the study by the great variety and the delicate distinctions of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-staunton/many-persons-have-been-confused-and-discouraged-at-the-very-outset-of/) [Howard Staunton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-staunton/) ## More by George R.R. Martin > [“Neither's the one you get, less you want me to see if your apple's ripe, yet. - Yoren”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/neither-s-the-one-you-get-less-you-want-me-to-see-if-your-apple-s/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“You are the queen, he ought to be begging leave of you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/you-are-the-queen-he-ought-to-be-begging-leave-of-you/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“It is my look they will flinch from now, my frown that they must fear.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/it-is-my-look-they-will-flinch-from-now-my-frown-that-they-must-fear/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“A good threat is often more telling than a blow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/a-good-threat-is-often-more-telling-than-a-blow/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“This wine is very choice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/this-wine-is-very-choice/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“Everything Syrio Forel had ever taught her vanished in a heartbeat. In that instant of sudden terror, the only lesson Arya could remember was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/everything-syrio-forel-had-ever-taught-her-vanished-in-a-heartbeat-in/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“Megga couldn’t sing, but she was mad to be kissed. She and Alla played a kissing game sometimes, she confessed, but it wasn’t the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/megga-couldn-t-sing-but-she-was-mad-to-be-kissed-she-and-alla-played/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“The rain feels good against my face, Sam. It feels like tears. Let me stay a while longer, I pray you. It has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/the-rain-feels-good-against-my-face-sam-it-feels-like-tears-let-me/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“Every man who walks the earth casts a shadow on the world. Some are thin and weak, others long and dark.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/every-man-who-walks-the-earth-casts-a-shadow-on-the-world-some-are/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“The shy girl she had known at Riverrun had grown into a woman who was by turns proud, fearful, cruel, dreamy, reckless, timid, stubborn,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/the-shy-girl-she-had-known-at-riverrun-had-grown-into-a-woman-who-was/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“He won the war on the battlefield and lost it in a bedchamber, poor fool.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/he-won-the-war-on-the-battlefield-and-lost-it-in-a-bedchamber-poor/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“On the morning after battle the crows had feasted on victors and vanquished alike. How much can a crown be worth when a crow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/on-the-morning-after-battle-the-crows-had-feasted-on-victors-and/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“The little man gave the big one a look. One of his eyes was green, one was black, and both were cool.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/the-little-man-gave-the-big-one-a-look-one-of-his-eyes-was-green-one/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“Jon, could there be honor in a lie, if it were told for a...good purpose? - Samwell”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/jon-could-there-be-honor-in-a-lie-if-it-were-told-for-a-good-purpose/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“My mother said my father had a drop of dragon blood.” “Two drops. That, or a cock six feet long.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/my-mother-said-my-father-had-a-drop-of-dragon-blood-two-drops-that-or/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) [Explore all 1,761 George R.R. Martin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) ## More Distinctions quotes > [Many persons have been confused and discouraged at the very outset of the study by the great variety and the delicate distinctions of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-staunton/many-persons-have-been-confused-and-discouraged-at-the-very-outset-of/) [Howard Staunton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-staunton/) > [The distinctions of fine art bore me to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/the-distinctions-of-fine-art-bore-me-to-death/) [Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/) > [To those of us who remained committed mainly to the exploration of moral distinctions and ambiguities, the feminist analysis may have seemed a particularly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/to-those-of-us-who-remained-committed-mainly-to-the-exploration-of/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [“If we want to decode our community's deep-seated fibers, we must go and see the world and explore the significant distinctions and resemblances. To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-pevernagie/if-we-want-to-decode-our-community-s-deep-seated-fibers-we-must-go/) [Erik Pevernagie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-pevernagie/) > [The highest of distinctions is service to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-highest-of-distinctions-is-service-to-others/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Place, time, life, death, earth, heaven are divisions and distinctions we make, like the imaginary lines we trace upon the surface of the globe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-kemble/place-time-life-death-earth-heaven-are-divisions-and-distinctions-we/) [Fanny Kemble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-kemble/) > [“Product distinctions, the historic centerpiece of product marketing, exist only briefly—and in the prospects’ minds, often not at all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-beckwith/product-distinctions-the-historic-centerpiece-of-product-marketing/) [Harry Beckwith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-beckwith/) > [Social distinctions tend to matter only at your own level and above.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-goldberg/social-distinctions-tend-to-matter-only-at-your-own-level-and-above/) [Jonah Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-goldberg/) > [Words have their genealogy, their history, their economy, their literature, their art and music, as too they have their weddings and divorces, their successes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgilia-peterson/words-have-their-genealogy-their-history-their-economy-their/) [Virgilia Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgilia-peterson/) > [The distinctions of what makes a book one genre or another can sometimes be a bit muddy, but generally it's a matter of projecting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/therese-fowler/the-distinctions-of-what-makes-a-book-one-genre-or-another-can/) [Therese Fowler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/therese-fowler/) > [All our distinctions ire accidental; beauty and deformity, though personal qualities, are neither entitled to praise nor censure; yet it so happens that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-georg-ritter-von-zimmermann/all-our-distinctions-ire-accidental-beauty-and-deformity-though/) [Johann Georg Ritter von Zimmermann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-georg-ritter-von-zimmermann/) > [“I wanted to tell them that they had made a mistake. I wasn’t like them. I didn’t want the same things that they wanted,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ling-ma/i-wanted-to-tell-them-that-they-had-made-a-mistake-i-wasn-t-like-them/) [Ling Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ling-ma/) > [Wit makes its own welcome, and levels all distinctions. No dignity, no learning, no force of character, can make any stand against good wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/wit-makes-its-own-welcome-and-levels-all-distinctions-no-dignity-no/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I think it is absurd to give such tremendous importance to the distinctions between men and women. When I meet someone I regard that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/i-think-it-is-absurd-to-give-such-tremendous-importance-to-the/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [Making distinctions is part of learning. So is making mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-gibbs/making-distinctions-is-part-of-learning-so-is-making-mistakes/) [Nancy Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-gibbs/) [Browse all 65 Distinctions quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinctions/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Why must we draw these lines, these fine distinctions, these labels and barriers that set us apart? Ace and nat and joker, capitalist and communist, Catholic and Protestant, Arab and Jew, Indian and Latino, and on and on everywhere, and of course true humanity is to be found only on our side of the line and we feel free to oppress and rape and kill the \"other,\" whoever he might be. (From the Journal of Xavier Desmond)”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "George R.R. 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