--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Curious that a man as selfish as he…" description: "\"“Curious that a man as selfish as he should be offering himself to the service of dead dogs. There must be other, more productive ways of giving onesel..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d3/j-m-coetzee-2457_animal-welfare_curious-that-a-man-as-selfish-as-he-shou_1523936.jpg" --- # Curious that a man as selfish as he should be offering… ![“Curious that a man as selfish as he should be offering himself to the service of dead dogs. There must be other, more productive ways of giving oneself to the world, or to an idea of the world... But there are other people to do these things - the animal welfare thing, the social rehabilitation…” quote by J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d3/j-m-coetzee-2457_animal-welfare_curious-that-a-man-as-selfish-as-he-shou_1523936.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d3/j-m-coetzee-2457_animal-welfare_curious-that-a-man-as-selfish-as-he-shou_1523936.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d3/j-m-coetzee-2457_animal-welfare_curious-that-a-man-as-selfish-as-he-shou_1523936.jpg) > ““Curious that a man as selfish as he should be offering himself to the service of dead dogs. There must be other, more productive ways of giving oneself to the world, or to an idea of the world... But there are other people to do these things - the animal welfare thing, the social rehabilitation thing, even the Byron thing. He saves the honour of corpses because there is no one else stupid enough to do it.”” [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Criticizes self‑sacrifice in trivial causes, urging more meaningful contributions. **In simple terms:** Question the value of certain altruistic acts. Key Takeaway Choose impactful service. Themes ethics altruism meaning purpose Mood critical thoughtful Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - volunteering - career choices - activism Key Concepts moral philosophy social responsibility value of work Questions to Reflect On - What causes align with your skills? - How can you assess impact? A Different Perspective Some small acts still matter to beneficiaries. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animal welfare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal-welfare/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Giving Oneself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving-oneself-395862/) [Humility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humility/) [Idealism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idealism/) [Man Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-selfish-783073/) [Oneself World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oneself-world-508158/) [Repentance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/repentance/) [Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish/) [Selfish Offering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish-offering-5638704/) ## Related quotes > [Every woman has the instinct, the propensity to profit from her charms, and there's a lot to be said for giving oneself without love,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leopold-von-sacher-masoch/every-woman-has-the-instinct-the-propensity-to-profit-from-her-charms/) [Leopold von Sacher-Masoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leopold-von-sacher-masoch/) > [“And giving myself over with the confidence of belonging to the unknown. For I can pray only to what I do not know. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarice-lispector/and-giving-myself-over-with-the-confidence-of-belonging-to-the/) [Clarice Lispector](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarice-lispector/) > [“How can one set these opposite states in harmony? There is only one way: through giving oneself completely. How does one give oneself? By…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/how-can-one-set-these-opposite-states-in-harmony-there-is-only-one/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [“I'm sorry, my child, I just find it hard to whip up an interest in the subject. It's admirable, what you do, what she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/i-m-sorry-my-child-i-just-find-it-hard-to-whip-up-an-interest-in-the/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [One didn't really believe till one saw it demonstrated that giving oneself up completely to art, to emotion, to enjoyment, without planning for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-wilson/one-didn-t-really-believe-till-one-saw-it-demonstrated-that-giving/) [Edmund Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-wilson/) > [Sometimes one is guided by what they say of themselves, and very frequently by what other people say of them, without giving oneself time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/sometimes-one-is-guided-by-what-they-say-of-themselves-and-very/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“If one knows the truth that all that one gives to others is giving only to oneself, who indeed will not be a virtuous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-one-knows-the-truth-that-all-that-one-gives-to-others-is-giving/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Human contribution is the essential ingredient. It is only in the giving of oneself to others that we truly live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-percy-andrus/human-contribution-is-the-essential-ingredient-it-is-only-in-the/) [Ethel Percy Andrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-percy-andrus/) > [From outside one will always triumphantly impress theories upon the world and then fall straight into the ditch one has dug, but only from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-kafka/from-outside-one-will-always-triumphantly-impress-theories-upon-the/) [Franz Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-kafka/) > [A good name is seldom got by giving it oneself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wycherley/a-good-name-is-seldom-got-by-giving-it-oneself/) [William Wycherley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wycherley/) > [Finding your inner peace, one has to achieve the ability to live in harmony with oneself and the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julandie-scholtz/finding-your-inner-peace-one-has-to-achieve-the-ability-to-live-in/) [Julandie Scholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julandie-scholtz/) > [“Because one believes in oneself, one doesn't try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn't need others' approval. Because one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rockman/because-one-believes-in-oneself-one-doesn-t-try-to-convince-others/) [Adam Rockman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rockman/) > [The outflow that comes from giving of oneself opens the door to spiritual unfoldment while the attitude of taking locks it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-klemp/the-outflow-that-comes-from-giving-of-oneself-opens-the-door-to/) [Harold Klemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-klemp/) > [I don't believe complete assimilation is possible, at least not for anyone who has an active, open mind. Every step, every entry into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chang-rae-lee/i-don-t-believe-complete-assimilation-is-possible-at-least-not-for/) [Chang-Rae Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chang-rae-lee/) > [It is enough that one surrenders oneself. Surrender is giving oneself up to the original cause of one's being. Do not delude yourself by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramana-maharshi/it-is-enough-that-one-surrenders-oneself-surrender-is-giving-oneself/) [Ramana Maharshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramana-maharshi/) ## More by J.M. Coetzee > [“I urge you: don't cut short these thought-trains of yours. Follow them through to their end. Your thoughts and your feelings. Follow them through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/i-urge-you-don-t-cut-short-these-thought-trains-of-yours-follow-them/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“I truly believe I am not afraid of death. What I shrink from, I believe, is the shame of dying as stupid and befuddled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/i-truly-believe-i-am-not-afraid-of-death-what-i-shrink-from-i-believe/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“Technically he is old enough to be her father; but then, technically one can be a father at twelve.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/technically-he-is-old-enough-to-be-her-father-but-then-technically/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“I remember asking John, after Dusklands, what new project he had on the go. His answer was vague. 'There is always something or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/i-remember-asking-john-after-dusklands-what-new-project-he-had-on-the/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“The truth is, he tired of criticism, tired of prose measured by the yard." --Disgrace”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/the-truth-is-he-tired-of-criticism-tired-of-prose-measured-by-the/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“Since I was in flight from religion, I assumed that my classmates had to be in flight from religion too, albeit in a quieter,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/since-i-was-in-flight-from-religion-i-assumed-that-my-classmates-had/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“Lucy was frightened, frightened near to death. Her voice choked, she could not breath, her limbs went numb. "This is not happening", she said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/lucy-was-frightened-frightened-near-to-death-her-voice-choked-she/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“It occurs to me that we crush insects beneath our feet, miracles of creation too, beetles, worms, cockroaches, ants, in their various ways.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/it-occurs-to-me-that-we-crush-insects-beneath-our-feet-miracles-of/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“He sits with the pen in his hand, holding himself back from a descent into representations that have no place in the world, on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/he-sits-with-the-pen-in-his-hand-holding-himself-back-from-a-descent/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“Do you remember Vlek, who was such a good sheepdog that she and Jakob alone could drive a whole flock past you at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/do-you-remember-vlek-who-was-such-a-good-sheepdog-that-she-and-jakob/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“We are accustomed to believe that our world was created by God speaking the Word; but I ask, may it not rather be that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/we-are-accustomed-to-believe-that-our-world-was-created-by-god/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“...from the oppression of such freedom who would not welcome the liberation of confinement?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/from-the-oppression-of-such-freedom-who-would-not-welcome-the/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“If he has a last thought, if there is time for a last thought, it will simply be, So this is what a last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/if-he-has-a-last-thought-if-there-is-time-for-a-last-thought-it-will/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“At what age , he wonders, did Origen castrate himself? Not the most graceful solution, but then ageing is not a graceful bussines.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/at-what-age-he-wonders-did-origen-castrate-himself-not-the-most/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“...he seems to be on the brink of one of his bad spells again, one of the fits of lugubrious self-pity that turn into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/he-seems-to-be-on-the-brink-of-one-of-his-bad-spells-again-one-of-the/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) [Explore all 122 J.M. Coetzee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) ## More Animal welfare quotes > [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/) > [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/) > [“The forces of justice had finally come to Annawadi. That the beneficiaries were horses was a source of bemusement to Sunil and the road…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-boo/the-forces-of-justice-had-finally-come-to-annawadi-that-the/) [Katherine Boo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-boo/) > [“The future of wildlife and the habitat that they depend on is being destroyed. It is time to make nature and all the beauty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-oxton/the-future-of-wildlife-and-the-habitat-that-they-depend-on-is-being/) [Paul Oxton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-oxton/) > [Nature teaches beasts to know their friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/nature-teaches-beasts-to-know-their-friends/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“Who’s gonna bring the wild animals some hope? If we don’t love them the way they are..”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munia-khan/who-s-gonna-bring-the-wild-animals-some-hope-if-we-don-t-love-them/) [Munia Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munia-khan/) > [ I believe that the camera has aided animal welfare by giving a platform and a vision \[for bringing\] awareness to the most important animal-welfare… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-cleary/i-believe-that-the-camera-has-aided-animal-welfare-by-giving-a/) [Katie Cleary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-cleary/) > [True benevolence or compassion, extends itself through the whole of existence and sympathizes with the distress of every creature capable of sensation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/true-benevolence-or-compassion-extends-itself-through-the-whole-of/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [I had bought two male chimps from a primate colony in Holland. 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Animal welfare advocates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-goode/animal-rights-can-be-as-extreme-as-not-riding-a-horse-or-not-wearing/) [Eric Goode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-goode/) > [Animals on factory farms and slaughter houses are mutilated, drugged and abused in ways that would be illegal if dogs or cats were treated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-friedrich/animals-on-factory-farms-and-slaughter-houses-are-mutilated-drugged/) [Bruce Friedrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-friedrich/) > [“Beyond the economics of production efficiency, animal welfare laws that require "humane" treatment are really not about animals; they're about humans and making humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-francione/beyond-the-economics-of-production-efficiency-animal-welfare-laws/) [Gary Francione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-francione/) > [Not only are the philosophies of animal rights and animal welfare separated by irreconcilable differences... the enactment of animal welfare measures actually impedes the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-l-francione/not-only-are-the-philosophies-of-animal-rights-and-animal-welfare/) [Gary L. Francione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-l-francione/) [Browse all 172 Animal welfare quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal-welfare/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Curious that a man as selfish as he should be offering himself to the service of dead dogs. There must be other, more productive ways of giving oneself to the world, or to an idea of the world... But there are other people to do these things - the animal welfare thing, the social rehabilitation thing, even the Byron thing. He saves the honour of corpses because there is no one else stupid enough to do it.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "J.M. 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