--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we claim to be a higher order than…" description: "\"“If we claim to be a higher order than animals, how come that we're the only species that engages in killing for sport, hurting for pleasure, discrimin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/099/joan-marques-9874_animals_if-we-claim-to-be-a-higher-order-than-an_733444.jpg" --- # If we claim to be a higher order than animals, how come… ![“If we claim to be a higher order than animals, how come that we're the only species that engages in killing for sport, hurting for pleasure, discrimination, greed, and war?” quote by Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/099/joan-marques-9874_animals_if-we-claim-to-be-a-higher-order-than-an_733444.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/099/joan-marques-9874_animals_if-we-claim-to-be-a-higher-order-than-an_733444.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/099/joan-marques-9874_animals_if-we-claim-to-be-a-higher-order-than-an_733444.jpg) > ““If we claim to be a higher order than animals, how come that we're the only species that engages in killing for sport, hurting for pleasure, discrimination, greed, and war?”” [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote challenges human moral superiority by highlighting our unique capacity for cruelty and violence beyond survival needs. **In simple terms:** Humans claim higher status but often act cruelly for fun or profit. Key Takeaway Recognize and curb unnecessary suffering caused by humans. Themes ethics human nature violence Mood critical reflective Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - policy making - education - personal behavior - media coverage Key Concepts moral philosophy speciesism psychology Questions to Reflect On - What drives humans to harm for pleasure? - How can societies reduce violent entertainment? A Different Perspective Human cruelty can be mitigated through cultural change and legal frameworks. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals/) [Greed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greed/) [Killing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/killing/) ## Related quotes > [“When we stop pushing we realize that it was all for habit, fear, envy, or greed. In the calmness after the strife we often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/when-we-stop-pushing-we-realize-that-it-was-all-for-habit-fear-envy/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [Ignorance, hatred and greed are killing nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masanobu-fukuoka/ignorance-hatred-and-greed-are-killing-nature/) [Masanobu Fukuoka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masanobu-fukuoka/) > [Mysticism has often been misunderstood as the attempt to escape this simple, phenomenal world to a more pure existence in heaven beyond. This is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-wink/mysticism-has-often-been-misunderstood-as-the-attempt-to-escape-this/) [Walter Wink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-wink/) > [The only way to the top is killing and greed. Okay, I'm kidding. But killing helps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/the-only-way-to-the-top-is-killing-and-greed-okay-i-m-kidding-but/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [I want PETA to do something to stop the killing of animals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sangram-singh/i-want-peta-to-do-something-to-stop-the-killing-of-animals/) [Sangram Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sangram-singh/) > [If tomorrow we decided only to desist from killing and causing suffering for sport and entertainment, the world would be significantly better for animals.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-linzey/if-tomorrow-we-decided-only-to-desist-from-killing-and-causing/) [Andrew Linzey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-linzey/) > [Who does not know that kings and rulers sprang from men who were ignorant of God, who assumed because of blind greed and intolerable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-vii/who-does-not-know-that-kings-and-rulers-sprang-from-men-who-were/) [Pope Gregory VII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-gregory-vii/) > [“In a similar way, The Art of War pinpoints anger and greed as fundamental causes of defeat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/in-a-similar-way-the-art-of-war-pinpoints-anger-and-greed-as/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [avarice breeds envy, a worm that is always gnawing, letting the avaricious enjoy neither their own nor anyone else's good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/avarice-breeds-envy-a-worm-that-is-always-gnawing-letting-the/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [“Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/be-fearful-when-others-are-greedy-and-be-greedy-when-others-are/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [“The fact that they viewed their wealth as a result of their own hands, without any honor other than lip service being given to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-goff/the-fact-that-they-viewed-their-wealth-as-a-result-of-their-own-hands/) [Lee Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-goff/) > [The law is the collective organization of the individual's right to lawful defense of his life, liberty and property. When it is used for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/the-law-is-the-collective-organization-of-the-individual-s-right-to/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [“THE UNFORGIVEN Tell me if you've ever had to deal with these kinds of people: The kind who take and don't give. The kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/the-unforgiven-tell-me-if-you-ve-ever-had-to-deal-with-these-kinds-of/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [ “Where there are kashays (anger-pride-deceit-greed), there is worldly life. As long as anger-pride-deceit-greed exist; one is a sansaari \[living a worldly life\] regardless of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/where-there-are-kashays-anger-pride-deceit-greed-there-is-worldly/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [Stephanie could see the greed seep into the watery eyes of her father’s other brother, a horrible little man called Fergus, as he nodded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/stephanie-could-see-the-greed-seep-into-the-watery-eyes-of-her-father/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) ## More by Joan Marques > [“Everywhere you go you'll see highs and lows These things are just part of life and its flows It helps to understand that no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/everywhere-you-go-you-ll-see-highs-and-lows-these-things-are-just/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“How sad if we allow our hearts to wane And obscure our joy with enduring pain While all things, good or bad, indisputably go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/how-sad-if-we-allow-our-hearts-to-wane-and-obscure-our-joy-with/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“Recipe for success: Multiple years of working hard Five containers of planning smart A blend of perseverance and sacrifice A wee bit sleep to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/recipe-for-success-multiple-years-of-working-hard-five-containers-of/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“Today's pace induces uncertainty, which stresses the end of security, welcomes the era of anxiety, and demands greater creativity - toward increased life quality.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/today-s-pace-induces-uncertainty-which-stresses-the-end-of-security/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“Life is like walking a tightrope: A balance between turning inward Often enough to find your happy core And focusing outward Often enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/life-is-like-walking-a-tightrope-a-balance-between-turning-inward/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“Every relationship, job, or situation Should reinforce your internal relation The surest way to derail your dream Is clinging to things that destroy your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/every-relationship-job-or-situation-should-reinforce-your-internal/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“There's a difference between apathy and acceptance. Apathy lets you endure life. Acceptance helps you enjoy it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/there-s-a-difference-between-apathy-and-acceptance-apathy-lets-you/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“When you stop searching, you find. When you stop looking, you see. When you stop battling, you win. When you stop taking, you receive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/when-you-stop-searching-you-find-when-you-stop-looking-you-see-when/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“If my shoes were made of humility; my dress of compassion; my hat of respect, my jewelry of gratitude, and my perfume of determination,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/if-my-shoes-were-made-of-humility-my-dress-of-compassion-my-hat-of/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“Some "free" people are more imprisoned than those that are locked away. Trapped in narrow mindsets, they carry their mental prison with them day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/some-free-people-are-more-imprisoned-than-those-that-are-locked-away/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“Be kind to your mind: use it regularly by thinking critically. When thinking stops, the quality of the mind drops. And with a lazy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/be-kind-to-your-mind-use-it-regularly-by-thinking-critically-when/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“When we stop pushing we realize that it was all for habit, fear, envy, or greed. In the calmness after the strife we often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/when-we-stop-pushing-we-realize-that-it-was-all-for-habit-fear-envy/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“Don't think too low of yourself: it attracts negative energy. Don't think too high of yourself: it leads to arrogance. Just don't think about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/don-t-think-too-low-of-yourself-it-attracts-negative-energy-don-t/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“When people try to affront you, you can do two things: either accept it and ruin your day, or leave their gift unaccepted, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/when-people-try-to-affront-you-you-can-do-two-things-either-accept-it/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“Some people find comfort in the past. Others seek comfort in the future. Very few consider the most beautiful place and time: here and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/some-people-find-comfort-in-the-past-others-seek-comfort-in-the/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) [Explore all 69 Joan Marques quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) ## More Animals quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Animals know nothing of themselves, and they also know nothing of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/animals-know-nothing-of-themselves-and-they-also-know-nothing-of-the/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Humans are animals too, but some do not like to work from expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/humans-are-animals-too-but-some-do-not-like-to-work-from-expectations/) Mak\_786 > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? The idea is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. It means to know that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-becker/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-self-conscious-animal-the-idea-is-ludicrous/) [Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/) > [We must love animals in such a powerful way that we should reject to eat them!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/we-must-love-animals-in-such-a-powerful-way-that-we-should-reject-to/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [I bet plants go like 'Weeeeeeeee!' whenever they're swallowed by a giraffe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-bet-plants-go-like-weeeeeeeee-whenever-they-re-swallowed-by-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It’s a small thing to help one animal, but to that one animal it’s a big thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-baur/it-s-a-small-thing-to-help-one-animal-but-to-that-one-animal-it-s-a/) [Gene Baur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-baur/) > [We animals are the most complicated things in the known universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/we-animals-are-the-most-complicated-things-in-the-known-universe/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [“All these creatures spend their time explaining, realizing happily that they agree with each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-sartre/all-these-creatures-spend-their-time-explaining-realizing-happily/) [Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-sartre/) > [We're not very dangerous animals; we don't have a horn like a rhino or quills like a porcupine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-fisher/we-re-not-very-dangerous-animals-we-don-t-have-a-horn-like-a-rhino-or/) [Helen Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-fisher/) > [We need, in a special way, to work twice as hard to help people understand that animals are fellow creatures, that we must protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/we-need-in-a-special-way-to-work-twice-as-hard-to-help-people/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [“Plenty of animals had pets, but few were more devoted than the mouse, who owned a baby corn snake—“A rescue snake, she’d be quick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/plenty-of-animals-had-pets-but-few-were-more-devoted-than-the-mouse/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [No creature can attain a higher grade of nature without ceasing to exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/no-creature-can-attain-a-higher-grade-of-nature-without-ceasing-to/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) > [Most people are sensitized to animals through their cats and dogs, but for me it was a flounder. I used to go fishing with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-mathews/most-people-are-sensitized-to-animals-through-their-cats-and-dogs-but/) [Dan Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-mathews/) [Browse all 6,813 Animals quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“If we claim to be a higher order than animals, how come that we're the only species that engages in killing for sport, hurting for pleasure, discrimination, greed, and war?”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joan Marques" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/if-we-claim-to-be-a-higher-order-than-animals-how-come-that-we-re-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Animals" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/if-we-claim-to-be-a-higher-order-than-animals-how-come-that-we-re-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/099/joan-marques-9874_animals_if-we-claim-to-be-a-higher-order-than-an_733444.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/099/joan-marques-9874_animals_if-we-claim-to-be-a-higher-order-than-an_733444.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/099/joan-marques-9874_animals_if-we-claim-to-be-a-higher-order-than-an_733444.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If we claim to be a higher order than animals, how come that we're the only species that engages in killing…” — Joan Marques", "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": "Joan Marques", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“If we claim to be a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/if-we-claim-to-be-a-higher-order-than-animals-how-come-that-we-re-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/if-we-claim-to-be-a-higher-order-than-animals-how-come-that-we-re-the/#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 } } ] } ```