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Doe Quote by John Donne

“The flea, though he kill none, he does all the harm he can.” quote by John Donne
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“The flea, though he kill none, he does all the harm he can.”

John Donne

About This Quote

Source Poem: Holy Sonnets, 1633

Even harmless beings can cause great damage through indirect actions.

In simple terms: Small harms can have big impact.

Key Takeaway

Beware unintended consequences.

Themes

ethics impact responsibility

Mood

cautious reflective

Type

advisory philosophical

When to use this quote

  • personal relationships
  • environmental policy
  • public health
  • technology design

Key Concepts

Moral philosophy causality

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you assess indirect harm?
  • Can harmless actions become harmful?
A Different Perspective

Not all harm is intentional; some effects are unavoidable.

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