Life Quote by Hans Zinsser
““Infectious disease is one of the great tragedies of living things - the struggle for existence between two different forms of life... Incessantly, the pitiless war goes on, without quarter or armistice - a nationalism of species against species.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Rats, Lice and History, 1935
Life is a relentless competition between species, driven by survival instincts and endless conflict.
In simple terms: Species constantly fight for survival.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the harsh realities of natural competition.
Themes
survival
conflict
biology
evolution
competition
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
scientific
When to use this quote
- wildlife research
- public health policy
- environmental conservation
- education curricula
Key Concepts
natural selection
species interaction
ecology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this perspective influence our approach to disease control?
- Can cooperation ever outweigh competition in nature?
A Different Perspective
Human morality and cooperation can complicate this view.
![“It is with the [head louse and body louse] that we are chiefly concerned, and they are so closely related that, even now, by an occasional mésalliance resulting from the meetings of young people about the neck band, a body louse may go native and interbreed with a head louse. The crab louse we may…” quote by Hans Zinsser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7d6/hans-zinsser-34557_young-people_it-is-with-the-head-louse-and-body-louse_1442761.jpg)
![“... [I]nfectious disease is merely a disagreeable instance of a widely prevalent tendency of all living creatures to save themselves the bother of building, by their own efforts, the things they require. Whenever they find it possible to take advantage of the constructive labors of others, this is…” quote by Hans Zinsser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0c7/hans-zinsser-34557_advantage_i-nfectious-disease-is-merely-a-disagree_1503200.jpg)
![“Medical historians have cited many observations which they regarded as indicating the ancient existence of syphilis; but most of these, on close scrutiny, turn out to be unconvincing […] Ozanam quotes two sonnets from a Florentine poet—one entitled ‘De Matrona,’ the other 'Ad Priapum'—which he…” quote by Hans Zinsser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0f5/hans-zinsser-34557_history_medical-historians-have-cited-many-obser_1854315.jpg)
![“The Archbishop [Thomas Becket] was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral on the evening of the twenty-ninth of December. The body lay in the Cathedral all night, and was prepared for burial on the following day. The Archbishop was dressed in an extraordinary collection of clothes. He had on a large…” quote by Hans Zinsser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3ff/hans-zinsser-34557_archbishop_the-archbishop-thomas-becket-was-murdere_2861244.jpg)
