Animal suffering Quote by Matthew Scully
““When a man’s love of finery clouds his moral judgment, that is vanity. When he lets a demanding palate make his moral choices, that is gluttony. When he ascribes the divine will to his own whims, that is pride. And when he gets angry at being reminded of animal suffering that his own daily choices might help avoid, that is moral cowardice.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Moral Landscape of Consumerism, 2015
Obsessive focus on appearance, taste, self‑importance, and avoidance of ethical responsibility leads to vanity, gluttony, pride, and moral cowardice.
In simple terms: Focusing on superficialities blinds moral judgment.
Key Takeaway
Examine personal biases and act ethically.
Themes
ethics
vanity
pride
responsibility
Mood
reflective
critical
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- shopping habits
- dietary choices
- political activism
- environmental decisions
Key Concepts
consumerism
moral psychology
self‑deception
Questions to Reflect On
- How do your daily choices reflect your values?
- What fears arise when confronting moral discomfort?
A Different Perspective
Changing habits may be uncomfortable and socially pressured.
