Animal Quote by Oliver Goldsmith
“Elegy of the Death of a Mad Dog The dog, to gain some praivate ends, Went mad and bit the man.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: Elegy of the Death of a Mad Dog, 1760
A dog driven by selfish motives becomes dangerous, symbolizing how personal greed can harm others.
In simple terms: Selfish motives can turn beings dangerous.
Key Takeaway
Beware letting personal gain cause harm.
Themes
ethics
greed
danger
animal symbolism
Mood
cautionary
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- environmental policy
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
literature
moral allegory
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What modern parallels illustrate selfish motives causing harm?
- How can we curb greed in society?
A Different Perspective
Symbolism may be obscure without context.
![“[T]here are depths of thousands of miles which are hidden from our inquiry. The only tidings we have from those unfathomable regions are by means of volcanoes, those burning mountains that seem to discharge their materials from the lowest abysses of the earth.” quote by Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b7d/oliver-goldsmith-772_abyss_t-here-are-depths-of-thousands-of-miles_88121.jpg)
