---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...only someone who'd never been an…"
description: "\"...only someone who'd never been an animal would put up a sign saying not to feed them…\" — Jonathan Safran Foer"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/335/jonathan-safran-foer-136_animal_only-someone-who-d-never-been-an-animal_2274592.png"
---

#  ...only someone who'd never been an animal would put up a…

![“...only someone who'd never been an animal would put up a sign saying not to feed them…” quote by Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/335/jonathan-safran-foer-136_animal_only-someone-who-d-never-been-an-animal_2274592.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/335/jonathan-safran-foer-136_animal_only-someone-who-d-never-been-an-animal_2274592.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/335/jonathan-safran-foer-136_animal_only-someone-who-d-never-been-an-animal_2274592.png)

> “...only someone who'd never been an animal would put up a sign saying not to feed them…”

[Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Only those detached from animal nature claim the right to restrict feeding them.

**In simple terms:** Detachment leads to imposing rules on animals.

Key Takeaway

Recognize shared animal instincts.

Themes

ethics animal rights human-animal relations

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

ethical philosophical

When to use this quote

- zoo visits
- pet ownership
- wildlife conservation
- food choices

Key Concepts

moral philosophy environmentalism

Questions to Reflect On

- Why do we feel entitled to control animal behavior?
- What responsibilities accompany caring for animals?

A Different Perspective

Humans may have legitimate reasons for regulation.

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[Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Animals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals/)

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