--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: he probably thought he was a law-abiding…" description: "\"“he probably thought he was a law-abiding man, they all did, and they all always did, because they had not the dignity of wild animals who did not eat ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/140/toni-morrison-271_respect_he-probably-thought-he-was-a-law-abiding_117932.jpg" --- # he probably thought he was a law-abiding man, they all… ![“he probably thought he was a law-abiding man, they all did, and they all always did, because they had not the dignity of wild animals who did not eat where they defecated but they could defecate over a whole people and come there to live and defecate some more by tearing up the land” quote by Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/140/toni-morrison-271_respect_he-probably-thought-he-was-a-law-abiding_117932.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/140/toni-morrison-271_respect_he-probably-thought-he-was-a-law-abiding_117932.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/140/toni-morrison-271_respect_he-probably-thought-he-was-a-law-abiding_117932.jpg) > ““he probably thought he was a law-abiding man, they all did, and they all always did, because they had not the dignity of wild animals who did not eat where they defecated but they could defecate over a whole people and come there to live and defecate some more by tearing up the land”” [Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-morrison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human beings often justify their actions as lawful, yet they lack the humility and respect for nature that wild animals instinctively possess. **In simple terms:** Lawful but lacking humility. Key Takeaway Humility vs. legalism. Themes philosophy environment ethics human nature Mood critical thoughtful Type philosophical critique social commentary When to use this quote - environmental exploitation - corporate overreach - social injustice Key Concepts anthropocentrism moral blindness Practical Applications - promoting ecological ethics - cultivating humility in policy Questions to Reflect On - How does legal compliance differ from moral responsibility? - What can humans learn from animal humility? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Wild animals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wild-animals/) ## Related quotes > [God's grace always assists those who struggle, but this does not mean that a struggler is always in the position of a victor. 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