--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Human beings are themselves considered…" description: "\"Human beings are themselves considered consumer goods to be used and then discarded. We have created a \"disposable\" culture which is now spreading. It ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/213/pope-francis-85_consumerism_human-beings-are-themselves-considered-c_2336341.png" --- # Human beings are themselves considered consumer goods to… ![“Human beings are themselves considered consumer goods to be used and then discarded. We have created a "disposable" culture which is now spreading. It is no longer simply about exploitation and oppression, but something new. Exclusion ultimately has to do with what it means to be a part of the…” quote by Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/213/pope-francis-85_consumerism_human-beings-are-themselves-considered-c_2336341.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/213/pope-francis-85_consumerism_human-beings-are-themselves-considered-c_2336341.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/213/pope-francis-85_consumerism_human-beings-are-themselves-considered-c_2336341.png) > “Human beings are themselves considered consumer goods to be used and then discarded. We have created a "disposable" culture which is now spreading. It is no longer simply about exploitation and oppression, but something new. Exclusion ultimately has to do with what it means to be a part of the society in which we live; those excluded are no longer society's underside or its fringes or its disenfranchised - they are no longer even a part of it. The excluded are not the "exploited" but the outcast, the "leftovers".” [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Society discards those who don’t fit, creating a disposable culture that excludes and dehumanizes. **In simple terms:** Society treats some as disposable, excluding them. Key Takeaway Recognize and include the marginalized. Themes exclusion human dignity social justice Mood reflective concerned Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - policy making - community building - education reform Key Concepts disposable culture marginalization Questions to Reflect On - How can we shift from exclusion to inclusion? - What responsibilities do we have toward the “leftovers”? A Different Perspective Changing deep‑rooted attitudes is challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Consumerism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consumerism/) [Consumers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consumers/) [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Exploitation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exploitation/) [Fringe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fringe/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Oppression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oppression/) [Outcast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outcast/) [Overconsumption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overconsumption/) ## Related quotes > [Human beings are themselves considered consumer goods to be used and then discarded. We have created a 'disposable' culture which is now spreading. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/human-beings-are-themselves-considered-consumer-goods-to-be-used-and/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [“A similar situation exists for impulse categories that are mostly only considered if the consumer notices them. This is often the case for items…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-thain/a-similar-situation-exists-for-impulse-categories-that-are-mostly/) [Greg Thain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-thain/) > [There is no worse material poverty than one that does not allow for earning one’s bread and deprives one of the dignity of work.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/there-is-no-worse-material-poverty-than-one-that-does-not-allow-for/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Exploitation and oppression is not a matter of race. It is the system, the apparatus of world-wide brigandage called imperialism, which made the Powers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-suyin/exploitation-and-oppression-is-not-a-matter-of-race-it-is-the-system-2/) [Han Suyin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-suyin/) > [Although until recently the Church was closely linked to the established order, it is beginning to take a different attitude regarding the exploitation, oppression,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustavo-gutierrez/although-until-recently-the-church-was-closely-linked-to-the/) [Gustavo Gutiérrez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustavo-gutierrez/) > [Exploitation and oppression is not a matter of race. It is the system, the apparatus of world-wide brigandage called imperialism, which made the Powers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-suyin/exploitation-and-oppression-is-not-a-matter-of-race-it-is-the-system/) [Han Suyin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-suyin/) > [Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/feminism-is-a-movement-to-end-sexism-sexist-exploitation-and/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [In socialist society certain inequalities in property still exist. But in socialist society there is no longer unemployment, no exploitation, no oppression of nationalities.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-stalin-2/in-socialist-society-certain-inequalities-in-property-still-exist-but/) [J. Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-stalin-2/) > [. . .there is an element of Play that is almost ritualistic in Black folk life. It serves to mediate the tensions, stress, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/there-is-an-element-of-play-that-is-almost-ritualistic-in-black-folk/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [The function of a bourgeois democracy is to secure the consent of the masses to their own exploitation and oppression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ali/the-function-of-a-bourgeois-democracy-is-to-secure-the-consent-of-the/) [Tariq Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ali/) > [“The methods from which the different non-anarchist parties expect, or say they do, the greatest good of one and all can be reduced to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/errico-malatesta/the-methods-from-which-the-different-non-anarchist-parties-expect-or/) [Errico Malatesta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/errico-malatesta/) > [Public school - where the human mind is drilled and manipulated into submission to various social and moral spooks, and thus fitted to continue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/public-school-where-the-human-mind-is-drilled-and-manipulated-into/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [Intellectual neutrality is not possible in a historical world of exploitation and oppression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-schussler-fiorenza/intellectual-neutrality-is-not-possible-in-a-historical-world-of/) [Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-schussler-fiorenza/) > [Every relationship of domination, of exploitation, of oppression is by definition violent, whether or not the violence is expressed by drastic means. In such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-freire/every-relationship-of-domination-of-exploitation-of-oppression-is-by/) [Paulo Freire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-freire/) > [toleration of exploitation, oppression, and injustice points to a condition lying like a pall over the whole of society; it is apathy, an unconcern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothee-solle/toleration-of-exploitation-oppression-and-injustice-points-to-a/) [Dorothee Solle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothee-solle/) ## More by Pope Francis > [God reveals Himself through surprises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/god-reveals-himself-through-surprises/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [God’s faithfulness is stronger than our unfaithfulness and our infidelities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/god-s-faithfulness-is-stronger-than-our-unfaithfulness-and-our/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Have the courage to go against the tide of current values that do not conform to the path of Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/have-the-courage-to-go-against-the-tide-of-current-values-that-do-not/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [“Most people nowadays would not consider love as related in any way to truth. Love is seen as an experience associated with the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/most-people-nowadays-would-not-consider-love-as-related-in-any-way-to/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [The family remains the basic unit of society and the first school in which children learn the human, spiritual and moral values which enable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/the-family-remains-the-basic-unit-of-society-and-the-first-school-in/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Listen to Jesus and follow him. That's the message of the Transfiguration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/listen-to-jesus-and-follow-him-that-s-the-message-of-the/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Proceed calmly in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/proceed-calmly-in-life/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I like to say that women are those who form life in their wombs - and this is a comparison I make - they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/i-like-to-say-that-women-are-those-who-form-life-in-their-wombs-and/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [You cannot insult the faith of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/you-cannot-insult-the-faith-of-others/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I want to remind priests that the confessional must not be a torture chamber but rather an encounter with the Lord’s mercy which spurs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/i-want-to-remind-priests-that-the-confessional-must-not-be-a-torture/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [To all people of good will who are working for social justice: never tire of working for a more just world, marked by greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/to-all-people-of-good-will-who-are-working-for-social-justice-never/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [In Confession, Jesus welcomes us with all our sinfulness, to give us a new heart, capable of loving as he loves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/in-confession-jesus-welcomes-us-with-all-our-sinfulness-to-give-us-a/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I pray every day for all who are suffering in Iraq. Please join me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/i-pray-every-day-for-all-who-are-suffering-in-iraq-please-join-me/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I entrust this Twenty-second World Day of the Sick to the intercession of Mary. I ask her to help the sick to bear their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/i-entrust-this-twenty-second-world-day-of-the-sick-to-the/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Certain realities in life are only seen through eyes that are cleansed through our tears. Let us learn how to weep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/certain-realities-in-life-are-only-seen-through-eyes-that-are/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) [Explore all 1,479 Pope Francis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) ## More Consumerism quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [if we center our lives on BMWs, RVs, VCRs, PCs and the other acronyms of consumerism, we cannot expect our children to do otherwise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnetta-b-cole/if-we-center-our-lives-on-bmws-rvs-vcrs-pcs-and-the-other-acronyms-of/) [Johnnetta B. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnetta-b-cole/) > [“Salesmanship is usually the art of making it the prospect’s problem, the salesperson’s need or desire to earn money.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/salesmanship-is-usually-the-art-of-making-it-the-prospect-s-problem/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [A lot of times, my work is looked at very much on the surface. It's very easy to just want to put something in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-koons/a-lot-of-times-my-work-is-looked-at-very-much-on-the-surface-it-s/) [Jeff Koons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-koons/) > [I think that consumerism is intrinsically a pretty flawed social system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-elkington/i-think-that-consumerism-is-intrinsically-a-pretty-flawed-social/) [John Elkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-elkington/) > [America always put forth this phony melting pot theory, but it's a reality now. They couldn't accomplish the melting pot economically; they couldn't accomplish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-means/america-always-put-forth-this-phony-melting-pot-theory-but-it-s-a/) [Russell Means](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-means/) > [“Fifty years ago, people went without clothes in order to eat. Today, people gladly go without food in order to buy clothes. And they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-dumontais/fifty-years-ago-people-went-without-clothes-in-order-to-eat-today/) Sinclair Dumontais > [Consumer wants can have bizarre, frivolous, or even immoral origins, and an admirable case can still be made for a society that seeks to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kenneth-galbraith/consumer-wants-can-have-bizarre-frivolous-or-even-immoral-origins-and/) [John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kenneth-galbraith/) > [“In my view, dissatisfaction is implicit in the fabric of consumerism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-bruno/in-my-view-dissatisfaction-is-implicit-in-the-fabric-of-consumerism/) [Dave Bruno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-bruno/) > [Just when you thought multi-nationals and crazed consumerism were too big to fight, along comes Naomi Klein with facts, spirit, and news of successful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/just-when-you-thought-multi-nationals-and-crazed-consumerism-were-too/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [“Logograms pose a more difficult question. An increasing number of persons and institutions, from archy and mehitabel to PostScript and TrueType, come to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bringhurst/logograms-pose-a-more-difficult-question-an-increasing-number-of/) [Robert Bringhurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bringhurst/) > [One of the problems with industrialism is that it's based on the premise of more and more. It has to keep expanding to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dora-russell/one-of-the-problems-with-industrialism-is-that-it-s-based-on-the/) [Dora Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dora-russell/) > [Never buy what you do not want, because it is cheap; it will be dear to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/never-buy-what-you-do-not-want-because-it-is-cheap-it-will-be-dear-to/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The pharma pricing system was not built on the idea of consumer engagement. 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