--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We human beings are not only the…" description: "\"We human beings are not only the beneficiaries but also the stewards of other creatures. Thanks to our bodies, God has joined us so closely to the worl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/596/pope-francis-85_ailments_we-human-beings-are-not-only-the-benefic_1813228.jpg" --- # We human beings are not only the beneficiaries but also… ![“We human beings are not only the beneficiaries but also the stewards of other creatures. Thanks to our bodies, God has joined us so closely to the world around us that we can feel the desertification of the soil almost as a physical ailment, and the extinction of a species as a painful…” quote by Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/596/pope-francis-85_ailments_we-human-beings-are-not-only-the-benefic_1813228.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/596/pope-francis-85_ailments_we-human-beings-are-not-only-the-benefic_1813228.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/596/pope-francis-85_ailments_we-human-beings-are-not-only-the-benefic_1813228.jpg) > “We human beings are not only the beneficiaries but also the stewards of other creatures. Thanks to our bodies, God has joined us so closely to the world around us that we can feel the desertification of the soil almost as a physical ailment, and the extinction of a species as a painful disfigurement. Let us not leave in our wake a swatch of destruction and death which will affect our own lives and those of future generations.” [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. Humans must care for all creatures, feeling environmental harm personally, to avoid leaving destructive legacies for future generations. **In simple terms:** We must protect nature because its damage hurts us and future people. Key Takeaway Act as a steward of Earth. Themes environment stewardship ethics Mood concerned determined Type ethical motivational When to use this quote - climate activism - community gardening - policy advocacy - education programs Key Concepts interconnectedness moral responsibility Questions to Reflect On - What daily actions can reduce your ecological footprint? - How can you influence others to care for the planet? A Different Perspective Economic interests often oppose environmental protection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ailments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ailments/) [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destruction/) [Disfigurement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disfigurement/) [Extinction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extinction/) [Future generation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future-generation/) [Generations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Many times in our lives we have to make difficult decisions that will affect not only our lives, but the lives of others around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-maynard/many-times-in-our-lives-we-have-to-make-difficult-decisions-that-will/) Gene Maynard > [Fashion has always had the ability to affect lives, to touch people. But for the longest period of time, we've said, 'Oh, we're just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prabal-gurung/fashion-has-always-had-the-ability-to-affect-lives-to-touch-people/) [Prabal Gurung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prabal-gurung/) > [Everybody eventually discovers that they are an individual with the power to affect their own lives and make it better or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-blume/everybody-eventually-discovers-that-they-are-an-individual-with-the/) [Lawrence Blume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-blume/) > [“You have the power to affect lives! Your influence is spreading.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anyaele-sam-chiyson/you-have-the-power-to-affect-lives-your-influence-is-spreading/) Anyaele Sam Chiyson > [As the society has gotten larger and more complex, individuals have lost their ability to influence any of the institutions that affect their lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-teeter/as-the-society-has-gotten-larger-and-more-complex-individuals-have/) [Robert Teeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-teeter/) > [“Obviously the choices of other people affect our lives, but we are the primary creators of our experience.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shepherd-hoodwin/obviously-the-choices-of-other-people-affect-our-lives-but-we-are-the/) [Shepherd Hoodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shepherd-hoodwin/) > [Not only defense, but the declining birthrate, energy, and wage increases are all issues that affect the lives of the people and cannot be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fumio-kishida/not-only-defense-but-the-declining-birthrate-energy-and-wage/) [Fumio Kishida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fumio-kishida/) > [People should not be voting based on caste, religion, money, or liquor but real issues that affect their lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atishi/people-should-not-be-voting-based-on-caste-religion-money-or-liquor/) [Atishi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atishi/) > [“And so, this was the final major theme we found: that when a group of people, no matter how small or ordinary, was willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/and-so-this-was-the-final-major-theme-we-found-that-when-a-group-of/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) > [Facebook draws from the public and public-interest sphere, a simultaneously bold and modest step towards acknowledging that our new networked technologies deeply affect our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-zittrain/facebook-draws-from-the-public-and-public-interest-sphere-a/) [Jonathan Zittrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-zittrain/) > [“A mother has far greater influence on her children than anyone else, and she must realize that every word she speaks, every act, every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-eldon-tanner/a-mother-has-far-greater-influence-on-her-children-than-anyone-else/) [N. Eldon Tanner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-eldon-tanner/) > [As a doctor, I understand how actions can affect lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ami-bera/as-a-doctor-i-understand-how-actions-can-affect-lives/) [Ami Bera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ami-bera/) > [“Your calling should bless and affect the lives of others for good”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/your-calling-should-bless-and-affect-the-lives-of-others-for-good/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [No citizen or social group can be completely isolated from politics, because policy decisions and actions affect their lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fethullah-gulen/no-citizen-or-social-group-can-be-completely-isolated-from-politics/) [Fethullah Gulen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fethullah-gulen/) > [Here, I have an opportunity to affect the lives of a lot of young people - and not just on my football team. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/here-i-have-an-opportunity-to-affect-the-lives-of-a-lot-of-young/) [Joe Paterno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-paterno/) ## 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 Ailments quotes > [There never was a tonic that would cure more social ailments than a healthy, happy home. There never was a greater source of social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-l-evans/there-never-was-a-tonic-that-would-cure-more-social-ailments-than-a/) [Richard L. Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-l-evans/) > [You can trace every sickness, every disease and every ailment to a mineral deficiency.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-pauling/you-can-trace-every-sickness-every-disease-and-every-ailment-to-a/) [Linus Pauling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-pauling/) > [Pranayam is the right science of breathing where deep, regulated and rhythmic breathing is done along with mental purification. Its practice plays an important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virchand-gandhi/pranayam-is-the-right-science-of-breathing-where-deep-regulated-and/) [Virchand Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virchand-gandhi/) > [Just a little sheep dip. Panacea for all stomach ailments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/just-a-little-sheep-dip-panacea-for-all-stomach-ailments/) [Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/) > [Keep your mind as much as you can from dwelling on your ailment. Think of strength and power and you will draw it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prentice-mulford/keep-your-mind-as-much-as-you-can-from-dwelling-on-your-ailment-think/) [Prentice Mulford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prentice-mulford/) > [Cats are rather delicate creatures and they are subject to a good many ailments, but I never heard of one who suffered from insomnia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-wood-krutch/cats-are-rather-delicate-creatures-and-they-are-subject-to-a-good-2/) [Joseph Wood Krutch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-wood-krutch/) > [As a physician I have sympathy for patients suffering from pain and other medical conditions. Although I understand many believe marijuana is the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-frist/as-a-physician-i-have-sympathy-for-patients-suffering-from-pain-and/) [Bill Frist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-frist/) > [... we will hope that future historians will explain the morbid symptoms of present-day society as the childhood ailments of an aspiring humanity, due…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/we-will-hope-that-future-historians-will-explain-the-morbid-symptoms/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I only get unusual ailments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-kimmel/i-only-get-unusual-ailments/) [Jimmy Kimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-kimmel/) > [Because of poor posture, practically 95% of our population suffers from varying degrees of spinal curvature, not to mention more serious ailments. Good posture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pilates/because-of-poor-posture-practically-95-of-our-population-suffers-from/) [Joseph Pilates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pilates/) > [Stage fright, like epilepsy, is a divine ailment, a sacred madness... It is a grace that is sufficient in the old Jesuit sense -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-rosen/stage-fright-like-epilepsy-is-a-divine-ailment-a-sacred-madness-it-is/) [Charles Rosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-rosen/) > [He who thinks that macrobiotic living is merely a cure for physical ailments, however, can never really be helped. It is not a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-ohsawa/he-who-thinks-that-macrobiotic-living-is-merely-a-cure-for-physical/) [George Ohsawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-ohsawa/) > [When the mind is free of fear, guilt, anger and is more centered, then it holds the power to heal any ailment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/when-the-mind-is-free-of-fear-guilt-anger-and-is-more-centered-then/) [Sri Sri Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/) > [Words have their genealogy, their history, their economy, their literature, their art and music, as too they have their weddings and divorces, their successes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgilia-peterson/words-have-their-genealogy-their-history-their-economy-their/) [Virgilia Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgilia-peterson/) > [In the future, Chiropractic will be valued for its preventative qualities as much as for relieving and adjusting the cause of ailments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-j-palmer/in-the-future-chiropractic-will-be-valued-for-its-preventative/) [B. J. Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-j-palmer/) [Browse all 72 Ailments quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ailments/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We human beings are not only the beneficiaries but also the stewards of other creatures. Thanks to our bodies, God has joined us so closely to the world around us that we can feel the desertification of the soil almost as a physical ailment, and the extinction of a species as a painful disfigurement. 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