--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If my relation to each and every peasant…" description: "\"If my relation to each and every peasant in Cambodia is indeed exactly what the principles of morality would demand it to be, it's a miraculous coincid..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ff/wallace-shawn-7437_behave_if-my-relation-to-each-and-every-peasant_706962.jpg" --- # If my relation to each and every peasant in Cambodia is… ![“If my relation to each and every peasant in Cambodia is indeed exactly what the principles of morality would demand it to be, it's a miraculous coincidence, because it takes a lot of effort to behave correctly in regard to my friends, and from one end of the year to another I never give those…” quote by Wallace Shawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ff/wallace-shawn-7437_behave_if-my-relation-to-each-and-every-peasant_706962.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ff/wallace-shawn-7437_behave_if-my-relation-to-each-and-every-peasant_706962.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ff/wallace-shawn-7437_behave_if-my-relation-to-each-and-every-peasant_706962.jpg) > “If my relation to each and every peasant in Cambodia is indeed exactly what the principles of morality would demand it to be, it's a miraculous coincidence, because it takes a lot of effort to behave correctly in regard to my friends, and from one end of the year to another I never give those peasants a single thought.” [Wallace Shawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-shawn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Morality demands equal concern for all, yet we often neglect distant strangers despite good intentions. **In simple terms:** We claim moral duty but ignore faraway people. Key Takeaway Practice consistent empathy beyond immediate circles. Themes morality empathy consistency humanity social responsibility Mood thoughtful concerned Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - charitable giving - policy making - personal relationships - global activism Key Concepts Ethical philosophy psychology of altruism Questions to Reflect On - How can we extend care to distant others? - What habits foster consistent moral behavior? A Different Perspective Human nature favors proximity; systemic change is needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Behave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behave/) [Cambodia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cambodia/) [Cambodia Exactly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cambodia-exactly-5584868/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Coincidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coincidence/) [Demand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demand/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [End Of The Year](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end-of-the-year/) [Ends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ends/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Miraculous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miraculous/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [My friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-friends/) [Peasant Cambodia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peasant-cambodia-5584869/) [Peasants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peasants/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Principles Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles-morality-2934474/) [Regard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regard/) [Relation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relation/) [Relation Peasant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relation-peasant-5584870/) [Year Peasants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/year-peasants-5584871/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [All those who write either explicitly or by insinuation against the dignity, freedom, and immortality of the human soul, may so far forth be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-berkeley/all-those-who-write-either-explicitly-or-by-insinuation-against-the/) [George Berkeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-berkeley/) > [“One of the major difficulties, and one of the monumental dangers, of sex education courses in public schools is that they disregard this significant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/one-of-the-major-difficulties-and-one-of-the-monumental-dangers-of/) [Boyd K. 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I don't know... maybe everybody who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-shawn/i-am-recognized-a-lot-for-clueless-but-i-am-recognized-a-great-deal/) [Wallace Shawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-shawn/) > [Sleep: a poor substitute for caffeine!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-shawn/sleep-a-poor-substitute-for-caffeine/) [Wallace Shawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-shawn/) > [I'm a very lucky man. It's a beautiful thing for a writer, to see people allowing your words to enter their own unconscious and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-shawn/i-m-a-very-lucky-man-it-s-a-beautiful-thing-for-a-writer-to-see/) [Wallace Shawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-shawn/) > [And my singing, I don't think I could sing Wagner or opera, but I could probably carry a tune. 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