--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Do not despise the fish because they are…" description: "\"Do not despise the fish because they are absolutely unable to speak or to reason, but fear lest you may be even more unreasonable than they by resistin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cb/saint-basil-4281_action_do-not-despise-the-fish-because-they-are_362964.png" --- # Do not despise the fish because they are absolutely unable… ![“Do not despise the fish because they are absolutely unable to speak or to reason, but fear lest you may be even more unreasonable than they by resisting the command of the Creator. Listen to the fish, who through their actions all but utter this word: 'We set out on this long journey for the…” quote by Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cb/saint-basil-4281_action_do-not-despise-the-fish-because-they-are_362964.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cb/saint-basil-4281_action_do-not-despise-the-fish-because-they-are_362964.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cb/saint-basil-4281_action_do-not-despise-the-fish-because-they-are_362964.png) > “Do not despise the fish because they are absolutely unable to speak or to reason, but fear lest you may be even more unreasonable than they by resisting the command of the Creator. Listen to the fish, who through their actions all but utter this word: 'We set out on this long journey for the perpetuation of our species.” [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote warns against judging those who cannot speak or reason, urging humility and respect for all creatures as part of divine order. **In simple terms:** Respect all beings, even silent ones, as part of God's plan. Key Takeaway Listen and learn from all life. Themes humility respect creation ethics Mood contemplative reverent Type spiritual ethical When to use this quote - environmental stewardship - interfaith dialogue - personal reflection - education - policy making Key Concepts theology animal rights humility Questions to Reflect On - How can we honor silent beings without anthropomorphizing them? - What responsibilities do we have toward non‑human life? A Different Perspective It may overlook the practical limits of non‑human agency in moral reasoning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Creator](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creator/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fish/) [Journey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journey/) [Long journey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-journey/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) ## Related quotes > [It is meaningless to speak in the name of - or against - Reason, Truth, or Knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-foucault/it-is-meaningless-to-speak-in-the-name-of-or-against-reason-truth-or/) [Michel Foucault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-foucault/) > [I have seen these persons speak unthinkingly, not realizing that to speak is also to be. Word and gesture are man's thought. We should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-allende/i-have-seen-these-persons-speak-unthinkingly-not-realizing-that-to/) [Isabel Allende](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabel-allende/) > [Would you persuade, speak of interest, not of reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/would-you-persuade-speak-of-interest-not-of-reason/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [ \[In politics,\] when there is no reason to speak, there is a reason not to speak. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-frum/in-politics-when-there-is-no-reason-to-speak-there-is-a-reason-not-to/) [David Frum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-frum/) > [I don't know if there's a reason I'm here, I feel the only thing that's driving me is reason and fear and seeing death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jedi-mind-tricks/i-don-t-know-if-there-s-a-reason-i-m-here-i-feel-the-only-thing-that/) [Jedi Mind Tricks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jedi-mind-tricks/) > [To withdraw is not to run away, and to stay is no wise action, when there's more reason to fear than to hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-cervantes/to-withdraw-is-not-to-run-away-and-to-stay-is-no-wise-action-when/) [Miguel de Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-cervantes/) > [The boy detective thinks, The only thing all men have in common with one another is their inherent capacity to make mistakes. He reasons,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-meno/the-boy-detective-thinks-the-only-thing-all-men-have-in-common-with/) [Joe Meno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-meno/) > [“When so many hours have been spent convincing myself I am right, is there not some reason to fear I may be wrong?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/when-so-many-hours-have-been-spent-convincing-myself-i-am-right-is/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“Is almost a good enough reason for fear ?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-revis/is-almost-a-good-enough-reason-for-fear/) [Beth Revis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-revis/) > [Excuses are just a reason of fear..but the fear you feel has no excuses to live w/ you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cath-chatto/excuses-are-just-a-reason-of-fear-but-the-fear-you-feel-has-no/) [Cath Chatto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cath-chatto/) > [“But, when she was alone, someone rapped on the door and she found herself on her feet, knife in hand, before she had time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-downie/but-when-she-was-alone-someone-rapped-on-the-door-and-she-found/) [Ruth Downie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-downie/) > [Ways to win our FEAR...! 1) Admire the reason for fear 2) Start practice to do that activity FEAR will start to move from us..!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/ways-to-win-our-fear-1-admire-the-reason-for-fear-2-start-practice-to/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [“I can’t change what I am but you have no reason to fear me or mine. None of us will ever hurt you—especially me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aline-hunter/i-can-t-change-what-i-am-but-you-have-no-reason-to-fear-me-or-mine/) [Aline Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aline-hunter/) > [“There is reason to fear that men love better to investigate how muslins, hay-rakes, and, above all and inclusive of all, money may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fitz-hugh-ludlow/there-is-reason-to-fear-that-men-love-better-to-investigate-how/) [Fitz Hugh Ludlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fitz-hugh-ludlow/) > [“Even a man who’s spent his whole life at sea has reason to fear her when she’s angry. But not I. I sleep soundly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tricia-levenseller/even-a-man-who-s-spent-his-whole-life-at-sea-has-reason-to-fear-her/) [Tricia Levenseller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tricia-levenseller/) ## More by Saint Basil > [Truly unexpected tidings make both ears tingle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/truly-unexpected-tidings-make-both-ears-tingle/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [Just as we would have no need of the farmer's labor and toil if we were living amid the delights of paradise, so also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/just-as-we-would-have-no-need-of-the-farmer-s-labor-and-toil-if-we/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [Men whose sense of taste is destroyed by sickness, sometimes think honey sour. A diseased eye does not see many things which do exist,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/men-whose-sense-of-taste-is-destroyed-by-sickness-sometimes-think/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [Good masters teach good doctrine, but that taught by evil masters is wholly evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/good-masters-teach-good-doctrine-but-that-taught-by-evil-masters-is/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [They who sow courtesy reap friendship, and they who plant kindness gather love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/they-who-sow-courtesy-reap-friendship-and-they-who-plant-kindness/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [It is impious to say that evil has its origin from God, because naught contrary is produced by the contrary. Life does not generate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/it-is-impious-to-say-that-evil-has-its-origin-from-god-because-naught/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [Do not measure your loss by itself; if you do, it will seem intolerable; but if you will take all human affairs into account…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/do-not-measure-your-loss-by-itself-if-you-do-it-will-seem-intolerable/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/a-tree-is-known-by-its-fruit-a-man-by-his-deeds-a-good-deed-is-never/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [\[Every disappointment or misfortune can become a blessing in disguise, for which we should be grateful. But only if the hidden blessing is anticipated,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/every-disappointment-or-misfortune-can-become-a-blessing-in-disguise/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [We should not accept in silence the benefactions of God, but return thanks for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/we-should-not-accept-in-silence-the-benefactions-of-god-but-return/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [Any one who chooses will set up for a literary critic, though he cannot tell us where he went to school, or how much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/any-one-who-chooses-will-set-up-for-a-literary-critic-though-he/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [A woman who deliberately destroys a fetus is answerable for murder. And any fine distinction as to its being completely formed or unformed is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/a-woman-who-deliberately-destroys-a-fetus-is-answerable-for-murder/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [The sun penetrates crystal and makes it more dazzling. In the same way, the sanctifying Spirit indwells in souls and makes them more radiant.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/the-sun-penetrates-crystal-and-makes-it-more-dazzling-in-the-same-way/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [If everyone would take only according to his needs and would leave the surplus to the needy, no one would be rich, no one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/if-everyone-would-take-only-according-to-his-needs-and-would-leave/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [We need not only read Sacred Scripture, but learn it as well and grow up in it. Realize that nothing is written in Scripture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/we-need-not-only-read-sacred-scripture-but-learn-it-as-well-and-grow/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) [Explore all 113 Saint Basil quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. 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