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Faith Quote by Upton Sinclair

“Was it permitted to believe that there was nowhere upon the earth, or above the earth, a heaven for hogs, where they were requited for all this suffering? Each one of these hogs was a separate creature. Some were white hogs, some were black; some were brown, some were spotted; some were old, some…” quote by Upton Sinclair
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““Was it permitted to believe that there was nowhere upon the earth, or above the earth, a heaven for hogs, where they were requited for all this suffering? Each one of these hogs was a separate creature. Some were white hogs, some were black; some were brown, some were spotted; some were old, some young; some were long and lean, some were monstrous. And each of them had an individuality of his own, a will of his own, a hope and a heart's desire; each was full of self- confidence, of self-importance, and a sense of dignity. And trusting and strong in faith he had gone about his business, the while a black shadow hung over him and a horrid Fate waited in his pathway. Now suddenly it had swooped upon him, and had seized him by the leg. Relentless, remorseless, it was; all his protests, his screams, were nothing to it— it did its cruel will with him, as if his wishes, his feelings, had simply no existence at all; it cut his throat and watched him gasp out his life. And now was one to believe that there was nowhere a god of hogs, to whom this hog personality was precious, to whom these hog squeals and agonies had a meaning? Who would take this hog into his arms and comfort him, reward him for his work well done, and show him the meaning of his sacrifice?””

Upton Sinclair

About This Quote

Source Book: The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, 1906

The passage questions whether suffering beings have a divine purpose or comfort, highlighting the cruelty of fate and the search for meaning in pain.

In simple terms: It wonders if suffering has a higher purpose or comfort.

Key Takeaway

Seek compassion and meaning beyond suffering.

Themes

suffering faith meaning justice

Mood

melancholic reflective hopeful

Type

philosophical empathetic inspirational

When to use this quote

  • war
  • animal cruelty
  • personal loss
  • spiritual crisis

Key Concepts

existentialism theodicy animal rights

Questions to Reflect On

  • Can we find purpose in suffering without divine intervention?
  • How does empathy change the perception of pain?
A Different Perspective

It may overlook the possibility of finding meaning through human empathy and action.

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