--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are in the midst--much closer to the…" description: "\"“We are in the midst--much closer to the beginning than to the end, I believe--of an epic, political, cultural, and economic realignment in treatment o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f1/wayne-pacelle-14003_animals_we-are-in-the-midst-much-closer-to-the-b_1510496.jpg" --- # We are in the midst--much closer to the beginning than to… ![“We are in the midst--much closer to the beginning than to the end, I believe--of an epic, political, cultural, and economic realignment in treatment of animals.” quote by Wayne Pacelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f1/wayne-pacelle-14003_animals_we-are-in-the-midst-much-closer-to-the-b_1510496.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f1/wayne-pacelle-14003_animals_we-are-in-the-midst-much-closer-to-the-b_1510496.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f1/wayne-pacelle-14003_animals_we-are-in-the-midst-much-closer-to-the-b_1510496.jpg) > ““We are in the midst--much closer to the beginning than to the end, I believe--of an epic, political, cultural, and economic realignment in treatment of animals.”” [Wayne Pacelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We are at the early stage of a major shift in how societies treat animals politically, culturally, and economically. **In simple terms:** A major animal rights shift is beginning. Key Takeaway Support and engage in the animal rights movement. Themes animal rights politics culture economics Mood hopeful determined Type activist visionary When to use this quote - activism - business - education - media Key Concepts social change policy reform Questions to Reflect On - How will you contribute to this shift? - What obstacles exist in changing animal treatment? A Different Perspective Resistance from entrenched interests may slow progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals/) [Treatment of animals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/treatment-of-animals/) ## Related quotes > [“Indeed, consumer choice informed by conscience is an unstoppable force for good.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/indeed-consumer-choice-informed-by-conscience-is-an-unstoppable-force/) [Wayne Pacelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/) > [“The spirit of mercy is found in all the world's great religions , and they remind us of our charge in caring for Creation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/the-spirit-of-mercy-is-found-in-all-the-world-s-great-religions-and/) [Wayne Pacelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/) > [The Bible's emphasis is on the good treatment of animals, and not just the forbidding of cruel treatment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/the-bible-s-emphasis-is-on-the-good-treatment-of-animals-and-not-just/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [We aren't consistent in our treatment of animals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-rooney/we-aren-t-consistent-in-our-treatment-of-animals/) [Andy Rooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-rooney/) > [We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-can-judge-the-heart-of-a-man-by-his-treatment-of-animals/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“You can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-beverly/you-can-judge-the-heart-of-a-man-by-his-treatment-of-animals/) James Beverly ## More by Wayne Pacelle > [“We know too much, and what might have been excused in other times can no longer stand up to reason. ... with that understanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/we-know-too-much-and-what-might-have-been-excused-in-other-times-can/) [Wayne Pacelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/) > [I don't have a hands-on fondness for animals. I did not grow up bonded to any particular nonhuman animal. I like them and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/i-don-t-have-a-hands-on-fondness-for-animals-i-did-not-grow-up-bonded/) [Wayne Pacelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/) > [ We would be foolish and silly not to unite with people in the public health sector, the environmental community, \[and\] unions, to try to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/we-would-be-foolish-and-silly-not-to-unite-with-people-in-the-public/) [Wayne Pacelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/) > [China is a keen observer of trends elsewhere in the world, and it's going to give our own innovators a run for their money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/china-is-a-keen-observer-of-trends-elsewhere-in-the-world-and-it-s/) [Wayne Pacelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/) > [“This much is sure: as the humanemeconomy asserts its own power, it's own logic, and it's essential decency, an an older order is passing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/this-much-is-sure-as-the-humanemeconomy-asserts-its-own-power-it-s/) [Wayne Pacelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/) > [We've witnessed so many revolutions in our society. Think of transportation, photography, or communications. Things once unimaginable have become seemingly impossible to live without.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/we-ve-witnessed-so-many-revolutions-in-our-society-think-of/) [Wayne Pacelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/) > [China is now urging citizens to eat less meat. Factory farming comes with immense costs to a society, and Chinese leaders are starting to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/china-is-now-urging-citizens-to-eat-less-meat-factory-farming-comes/) [Wayne Pacelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/) > [The definition of obscenity on the newsstands should be extended to many hunting magazines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/the-definition-of-obscenity-on-the-newsstands-should-be-extended-to/) [Wayne Pacelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/) > [“... they all have a place and purpose of their own. They have their own dignity and their own destinies to fulfill, in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/they-all-have-a-place-and-purpose-of-their-own-they-have-their-own/) [Wayne Pacelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/) > [As a society, we are typically deeply disassociated from animal cruelty, but more than ever, animal protection organizations are telling the backstory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/as-a-society-we-are-typically-deeply-disassociated-from-animal/) [Wayne Pacelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/) > [People are being forced to confront the realities. At the same time, we have an ever-growing understanding of the intelligence and emotional capacities of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/people-are-being-forced-to-confront-the-realities-at-the-same-time-we/) [Wayne Pacelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/) > [Especially in this Internet age, routine practices are being exposed and rightly recognized as harsh and cruel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/especially-in-this-internet-age-routine-practices-are-being-exposed/) [Wayne Pacelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/) > [There are many innovators hard at work seeking to perfect alternatives to meat, milk, and eggs. These food products will, like computer-generated graphics or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/there-are-many-innovators-hard-at-work-seeking-to-perfect/) [Wayne Pacelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/) > [The response by agribusiness interests has been to back laws that ban animal advocates from taking pictures or videos at these facilities, and ban…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/the-response-by-agribusiness-interests-has-been-to-back-laws-that-ban/) [Wayne Pacelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/) > [People know what happened in California, and they know it can happen again and again. They know that no group has passed more ballot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/people-know-what-happened-in-california-and-they-know-it-can-happen/) [Wayne Pacelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/) [Explore all 48 Wayne Pacelle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/) ## More Animals quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Animals know nothing of themselves, and they also know nothing of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/animals-know-nothing-of-themselves-and-they-also-know-nothing-of-the/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Humans are animals too, but some do not like to work from expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/humans-are-animals-too-but-some-do-not-like-to-work-from-expectations/) Mak\_786 > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? The idea is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. It means to know that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-becker/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-self-conscious-animal-the-idea-is-ludicrous/) [Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/) > [We must love animals in such a powerful way that we should reject to eat them!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/we-must-love-animals-in-such-a-powerful-way-that-we-should-reject-to/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [I bet plants go like 'Weeeeeeeee!' whenever they're swallowed by a giraffe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-bet-plants-go-like-weeeeeeeee-whenever-they-re-swallowed-by-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It’s a small thing to help one animal, but to that one animal it’s a big thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-baur/it-s-a-small-thing-to-help-one-animal-but-to-that-one-animal-it-s-a/) [Gene Baur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-baur/) > [We animals are the most complicated things in the known universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/we-animals-are-the-most-complicated-things-in-the-known-universe/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [“All these creatures spend their time explaining, realizing happily that they agree with each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-sartre/all-these-creatures-spend-their-time-explaining-realizing-happily/) [Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-sartre/) > [We're not very dangerous animals; we don't have a horn like a rhino or quills like a porcupine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-fisher/we-re-not-very-dangerous-animals-we-don-t-have-a-horn-like-a-rhino-or/) [Helen Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-fisher/) > [We need, in a special way, to work twice as hard to help people understand that animals are fellow creatures, that we must protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/we-need-in-a-special-way-to-work-twice-as-hard-to-help-people/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [“Plenty of animals had pets, but few were more devoted than the mouse, who owned a baby corn snake—“A rescue snake, she’d be quick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/plenty-of-animals-had-pets-but-few-were-more-devoted-than-the-mouse/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [No creature can attain a higher grade of nature without ceasing to exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/no-creature-can-attain-a-higher-grade-of-nature-without-ceasing-to/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) > [Most people are sensitized to animals through their cats and dogs, but for me it was a flounder. I used to go fishing with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-mathews/most-people-are-sensitized-to-animals-through-their-cats-and-dogs-but/) [Dan Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-mathews/) [Browse all 6,813 Animals quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We are in the midst--much closer to the beginning than to the end, I believe--of an epic, political, cultural, and economic realignment in treatment of animals.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Wayne Pacelle" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/we-are-in-the-midst-much-closer-to-the-beginning-than-to-the-end-i/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Animals" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/we-are-in-the-midst-much-closer-to-the-beginning-than-to-the-end-i/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f1/wayne-pacelle-14003_animals_we-are-in-the-midst-much-closer-to-the-b_1510496.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f1/wayne-pacelle-14003_animals_we-are-in-the-midst-much-closer-to-the-b_1510496.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f1/wayne-pacelle-14003_animals_we-are-in-the-midst-much-closer-to-the-b_1510496.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We are in the midst--much closer to the beginning than to the end, I believe--of an epic, political…” — Wayne Pacelle", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Wayne Pacelle", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“We are in the midst--much closer...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/we-are-in-the-midst-much-closer-to-the-beginning-than-to-the-end-i/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/we-are-in-the-midst-much-closer-to-the-beginning-than-to-the-end-i/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```