--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: All Creatures know that some must die…" description: "\"All Creatures know that some must die That all the rest may take and eat; Sooner or later, all transform Their blood to wine, their flesh to meat. But ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a74/margaret-atwood-40_abstract_all-creatures-know-that-some-must-die-th_1318395.jpg" --- # All Creatures know that some must die That all the rest… ![“All Creatures know that some must die That all the rest may take and eat; Sooner or later, all transform Their blood to wine, their flesh to meat. But Man alone seeks Vengefulness, And writes his abstract Laws on stone; For this false Justice he has made, He tortures limb and crushes bone. Is this…” quote by Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a74/margaret-atwood-40_abstract_all-creatures-know-that-some-must-die-th_1318395.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a74/margaret-atwood-40_abstract_all-creatures-know-that-some-must-die-th_1318395.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a74/margaret-atwood-40_abstract_all-creatures-know-that-some-must-die-th_1318395.jpg) > “All Creatures know that some must die That all the rest may take and eat; Sooner or later, all transform Their blood to wine, their flesh to meat. But Man alone seeks Vengefulness, And writes his abstract Laws on stone; For this false Justice he has made, He tortures limb and crushes bone. Is this the image of a god? My tooth for yours, your eye for mine? Oh, if Revenge did move the stars Instead of Love, they would not shine.” [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The poem contrasts natural cycles of death and consumption with humanity’s artificial, vengeful justice that causes suffering. **In simple terms:** Nature’s death is natural; human revenge is cruel. Key Takeaway Recognize and reject cycles of of. Themes nature death justice revenge humanity Mood somber reflective Type poetic philosophical When to use this quote - environmental policy - legal reform - personal conflict - war - social activism Key Concepts ecology ethics power dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What cycles of revenge exist in your life? - How can compassion replace retribution? A Different Perspective Human law often amplifies violence rather than resolves it. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abstract](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract/) [Blood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blood/) [Bones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bones/) [Creatures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creatures/) [Crush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crush/) [Eye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye/) [Flesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flesh/) [God Tooth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-tooth-4385313/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Limbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limbs/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Meat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meat/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Moving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moving/) [Revenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revenge/) [Revenge Did](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revenge-did-1640095/) [Seeks Vengefulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seeks-vengefulness-4385312/) [Shining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shining/) [Sooner or later](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sooner-or-later/) [Stars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stars/) [Stones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stones/) [Teeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teeth/) [Torture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/torture/) [Vengefulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vengefulness-399493/) [Wine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wine/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“You know what they say about living well as the best revenge. 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