--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Cannibalism to a certain moderate extent…" description: "\"Cannibalism to a certain moderate extent is practised among several of the primitive tribes in the Pacific, but it is upon the bodies of slain enemies ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48b/herman-melville-162_body_cannibalism-to-a-certain-moderate-extent_544516.jpg" --- # Cannibalism to a certain moderate extent is practised… ![“Cannibalism to a certain moderate extent is practised among several of the primitive tribes in the Pacific, but it is upon the bodies of slain enemies alone; and horrible and fearful as the custom is, immeasurably as it is to be abhorred and condemned, still I assert that those who indulge in it…” quote by Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48b/herman-melville-162_body_cannibalism-to-a-certain-moderate-extent_544516.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48b/herman-melville-162_body_cannibalism-to-a-certain-moderate-extent_544516.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48b/herman-melville-162_body_cannibalism-to-a-certain-moderate-extent_544516.jpg) > “Cannibalism to a certain moderate extent is practised among several of the primitive tribes in the Pacific, but it is upon the bodies of slain enemies alone; and horrible and fearful as the custom is, immeasurably as it is to be abhorred and condemned, still I assert that those who indulge in it are in other respects humane and virtuous.” [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author argues that even practices deemed abhorrent can coexist with moral virtues in certain contexts. **In simple terms:** Even terrible acts may coexist with virtue. Key Takeaway Recognize moral complexity. Themes ethics culture humanity Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - anthropology studies - historical analysis - ethical debates Key Concepts moral relativism cultural practices Questions to Reflect On - How can societies reconcile harmful customs with moral values? - What criteria determine when a practice is condemnable? A Different Perspective Moral judgments can be oversimplified. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Cannibalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cannibalism/) [Cannibalism Certain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cannibalism-certain-4545045/) [Certain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certain/) [Customs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customs/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Fearful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fearful/) [Fearful Custom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fearful-custom-4545046/) [Horrible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/horrible/) [Humane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humane/) [Humane Virtuous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humane-virtuous-4545048/) [Indulge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indulge/) [Indulge in](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indulge-in/) [Moderates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moderates/) [Pacific](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pacific/) [Primitive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/primitive/) [Respects Humane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respects-humane-4545047/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) [Tribes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tribes/) [Virtuous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtuous/) ## Related quotes > [“Go to the meat market of a Saturday night and see the crowds of live bipeds staring up at the long rows of dead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/go-to-the-meat-market-of-a-saturday-night-and-see-the-crowds-of-live/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Consider the subtleness of the sea; how its most dreaded creatures glide under water, unapparent for the most part, and treacherously hidden beneath the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/consider-the-subtleness-of-the-sea-how-its-most-dreaded-creatures-2/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Humanity today is not safe in the presence of humanity. 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