Appetite Quote by Oliver Goldsmith
“Like the tiger, that seldom desists from pursuing man after having once preyed upon human flesh, the reader who has once gratified his appetite with calumny makes ever after the most agreeable feast upon murdered reputations!”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Vicar of Wakefield, 1766
A person who once harmed others enjoys destroying others' reputations, finding pleasure in ongoing slander.
In simple terms: Enjoying gossip after causing harm.
Key Takeaway
Beware of reveling in others' downfalls.
Themes
malice
reputation
gossip
Mood
cynical
critical
Type
cautionary
observational
When to use this quote
- Office politics
- online trolling
- personal relationships
- media criticism
Key Concepts
Moral decay
psychology of revenge
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we find pleasure in others' misfortune?
- How can we break the cycle of slander?
A Different Perspective
Such behavior can backfire, damaging the aggressor's own credibility.
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