--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It takes nothing away from a human to be…" description: "\"It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal.\" — Joaquin Phoenix" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac2/joaquin-phoenix-4581_animal_it-takes-nothing-away-from-a-human-to-be_166637.jpg" --- # It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal. ![“It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal.” quote by Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac2/joaquin-phoenix-4581_animal_it-takes-nothing-away-from-a-human-to-be_166637.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac2/joaquin-phoenix-4581_animal_it-takes-nothing-away-from-a-human-to-be_166637.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac2/joaquin-phoenix-4581_animal_it-takes-nothing-away-from-a-human-to-be_166637.jpg) > “It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal.” [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Showing kindness to animals reflects humanity and does not diminish human worth. **In simple terms:** Being kind to animals is humane. Key Takeaway Practice compassion toward all beings. Themes compassion humanness animal welfare Mood empathetic inspired Type advice ethical When to use this quote - activism - daily interactions Key Concepts ethical empathy moral responsibility Questions to Reflect On - How does caring for animals affect your view of humanity? - What small acts of kindness can you do today? A Different Perspective Kindness to animals does not address broader ethical issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Animals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals/) [Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Truthful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truthful/) [Vegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vegan/) [Vegan health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vegan-health/) ## Related quotes > [Me, as a human, I never want to take away another human being's choices or lifestyles or anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lydon/me-as-a-human-i-never-want-to-take-away-another-human-being-s-choices/) [John Lydon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lydon/) > [There's a lot of baseball players who give their best effort all of the time. But one kind of gets away from them. You're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-acuna-jr/there-s-a-lot-of-baseball-players-who-give-their-best-effort-all-of/) [Ronald Acuna Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-acuna-jr/) > [All prisons that have existed in our society to date put people away as no human being should ever be put away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-deming/all-prisons-that-have-existed-in-our-society-to-date-put-people-away/) [Barbara Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-deming/) > [I can't think of anything better in the world to be but a vegan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alicia-silverstone/i-can-t-think-of-anything-better-in-the-world-to-be-but-a-vegan/) [Alicia Silverstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alicia-silverstone/) > [My imagination is a kind of animal. So what I do is keep it alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/my-imagination-is-a-kind-of-animal-so-what-i-do-is-keep-it-alive/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [Q: If you could be an animal, what kind of animal would you be? A: You already are an animal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/q-if-you-could-be-an-animal-what-kind-of-animal-would-you-be-a-you/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [“People always had one kind of animal or another inside them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-russell/people-always-had-one-kind-of-animal-or-another-inside-them/) [Paul Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-russell/) > [We should venture on the study of every kind of animal without distaste; for each and all will reveal to us something natural and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/we-should-venture-on-the-study-of-every-kind-of-animal-without/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Every kind of animal can be tamed, but not the tongue of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phillipine-proverb/every-kind-of-animal-can-be-tamed-but-not-the-tongue-of-man/) Phillipine Proverb > [If you guys are interested in getting any kind of animal, definitely go and adopt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booboo-stewart/if-you-guys-are-interested-in-getting-any-kind-of-animal-definitely/) [Booboo Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booboo-stewart/) > [I won't get involved in businesses that I think cut across any kind of animal welfare issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/i-won-t-get-involved-in-businesses-that-i-think-cut-across-any-kind/) [Deborah Meaden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-meaden/) > [“A compassionate kind can see the animal as a living being, as a friend, as a family, as soul, as an expression of life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhinav-rajput/a-compassionate-kind-can-see-the-animal-as-a-living-being-as-a-friend/) [Abhinav Rajput](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhinav-rajput/) > [That's the point. Every kind of animal thinks its own kind of animal is wonderful. So people getting married think they're wonderful, and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/that-s-the-point-every-kind-of-animal-thinks-its-own-kind-of-animal/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [Man is the only animal that deals in that atrocity of atrocities War. He is the only one that gathers his brethren about him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/man-is-the-only-animal-that-deals-in-that-atrocity-of-atrocities-war/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [In my case, when I am trying to be "kind" I often default in a sort of toothless loving-all stance that is, actually, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/in-my-case-when-i-am-trying-to-be-kind-i-often-default-in-a-sort-of/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) ## More by Joaquin Phoenix > [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/) > [I enjoy writing rhymes and sitting alone in a room listening to beats. It's pretty amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-enjoy-writing-rhymes-and-sitting-alone-in-a-room-listening-to-beats/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [It's an amazing feeling to go into a studio and really be alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/it-s-an-amazing-feeling-to-go-into-a-studio-and-really-be-alone/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [I began acting when River was doing this TV series and they needed two kids for the show, so they got me and my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-began-acting-when-river-was-doing-this-tv-series-and-they-needed/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [My parents were just searching for an alternative way of raising their children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/my-parents-were-just-searching-for-an-alternative-way-of-raising/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [The reason I keep making movies is I hate the last thing I did. I'm trying to rectify my wrongs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/the-reason-i-keep-making-movies-is-i-hate-the-last-thing-i-did-i-m/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [I once told a journalist that girls call me 'Kitten,' but I couldn't have been more sarcastic, and no matter how many times I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-once-told-a-journalist-that-girls-call-me-kitten-but-i-couldn-t/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [When I go out with the ladies, I don't force them to pronounce my name. I tell them I like to go by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/when-i-go-out-with-the-ladies-i-don-t-force-them-to-pronounce-my-name/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [I have this horrible sense of humor where I think discomfort is funny - partly because I experience discomfort a lot, and it's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-have-this-horrible-sense-of-humor-where-i-think-discomfort-is-funny/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [The expectation is this low, gravelly voice for John, but I went through his early recordings and there were songs in there where the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/the-expectation-is-this-low-gravelly-voice-for-john-but-i-went/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Do I have a large frog in my hair? I have the sensation that something is eating my brain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/do-i-have-a-large-frog-in-my-hair-i-have-the-sensation-that-something/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Well, I think that you know, I threatened myself with quitting after every movie. But I think everybody does that, right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/well-i-think-that-you-know-i-threatened-myself-with-quitting-after/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [There is no need for fur - since there are compassionate alternatives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/there-is-no-need-for-fur-since-there-are-compassionate-alternatives/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [The only reason why I would like to be accepted? Because if your movies don't do well, after a while you don't get to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/the-only-reason-why-i-would-like-to-be-accepted-because-if-your/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [For me, I guess I'm the acting equivalent of somebody that jumps off buildings and parachutes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/for-me-i-guess-i-m-the-acting-equivalent-of-somebody-that-jumps-off/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) [Explore all 109 Joaquin Phoenix quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) ## More Animal 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 > [When grubbing for necessities man is still an animal. He becomes uniquely human when he reaches out for the superfluous and extravagant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/when-grubbing-for-necessities-man-is-still-an-animal-he-becomes/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [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/) > [A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/a-horse-a-horse-my-kingdom-for-a-horse/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“it is a federal system of sadistic torture, vivisection, and animal genocide, which has been carried on for decades under the fraudulent guise of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-tobias/it-is-a-federal-system-of-sadistic-torture-vivisection-and-animal/) [Michael Tobias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-tobias/) > [“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/) > [“The universe contains any amount of horrible ways to be woken up, such as the noise of the mob breaking down the front door,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-universe-contains-any-amount-of-horrible-ways-to-be-woken-up-such/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [This brings me back to the image of Kafka standing before a fish in the Berlin aquarium, a fish on which his gaze fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/this-brings-me-back-to-the-image-of-kafka-standing-before-a-fish-in/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [That dog, I say that dog is lower than a snake full of buckshot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/foghorn-leghorn/that-dog-i-say-that-dog-is-lower-than-a-snake-full-of-buckshot/) [Foghorn Leghorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/foghorn-leghorn/) > [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/) > [Animal rights without veganism is like human rights with slavery. It makes no sense. None whatsoever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-l-francione/animal-rights-without-veganism-is-like-human-rights-with-slavery-it/) [Gary L. Francione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-l-francione/) [Browse all 13,456 Animal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joaquin Phoenix" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/it-takes-nothing-away-from-a-human-to-be-kind-to-an-animal/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Animal" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/it-takes-nothing-away-from-a-human-to-be-kind-to-an-animal/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac2/joaquin-phoenix-4581_animal_it-takes-nothing-away-from-a-human-to-be_166637.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac2/joaquin-phoenix-4581_animal_it-takes-nothing-away-from-a-human-to-be_166637.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac2/joaquin-phoenix-4581_animal_it-takes-nothing-away-from-a-human-to-be_166637.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal.” — Joaquin Phoenix", "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": "Joaquin Phoenix", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It takes nothing away from a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/it-takes-nothing-away-from-a-human-to-be-kind-to-an-animal/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/it-takes-nothing-away-from-a-human-to-be-kind-to-an-animal/#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 } } ] } ```