Animal Quote by John Henry Newman
“Now what is it moves our very heart, and sickens us so much as cruelty shown to poor brutes? I suppose this: first, that they have done us no harm; next that they have no power whatsoever of resistance; it is the cowardice and tyranny, of which they are the victims, which make their sufferings so especially touching. There is something so very dreadful, so satanic in tormenting those who have never harmed us, and who cannot defend themselves, who are utterly in our power.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Soul of the Age” by John Henry Newman, 1865
Seeing cruelty toward the defenseless evokes deep sorrow, highlighting our moral responsibility to protect the vulnerable.
In simple terms: Cruelty to the weak hurts us deeply.
Key Takeaway
Stand against cruelty.
Themes
compassion
justice
ethics
Mood
empathetic
determined
Type
philosophical
activist
When to use this quote
- animal welfare
- human rights
- personal relationships
- community activism
Key Concepts
moral duty
empathy
social responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you actively defend those who cannot defend themselves?
- What responsibilities do you feel toward vulnerable beings?
A Different Perspective
The focus on suffering may overlook systemic causes of cruelty.
