Cannibals Quote by William Carey
““In many of these countries they have no written language, consequently no Bible, and are only led by the most childish customs and traditions. Such, for instance, are all the middle and back parts of North America, the inland parts of South America, the South-Sea Islands, New Holland, New Zealand, New Guinea; and I may add Great Tartary, Siberia, Samojedia, and the other parts of Asia contiguous to the frozen sea; the greatest part of Africa, the island of Madagascar, and many places beside. In many of these parts also they are cannibals, feeding upon the flesh of their slain enemies, with the greatest brutality and eagerness.””
About This Quote
The passage claims that societies lacking written language and Christian scripture are governed by primitive customs, often depicted as savage, including cannibalism.
In simple terms: Cultures without writing are portrayed as uncivilized and violent.
Key Takeaway
Recognize bias in describing unfamiliar peoples.
Themes
colonialism
ethnocentrism
culture
religion
violence
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
historical
observational
When to use this quote
- missionary work
- anthropological study
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
civilization
othering
historical narrative
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language influence perceptions of civilization?
- What evidence supports or contradicts these claims?
A Different Perspective
The description reflects a Eurocentric view that may exaggerate or misrepresent these societies.
![“The most ultimately righteous of all wars is a war with savages, though it is apt to be also the most terrible and inhuman. The rude, fierce settler who drives the savage from the land lays all civilized mankind under a debt to him. ...[I]t is of incalculable importance that America, Australia…” quote by Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b16/theodore-roosevelt-218_aboriginal_the-most-ultimately-righteous-of-all-war_273010.jpg)
![“[I]t seems that the Cannibals of Europe are going to eat one another again. A war between Russia and Turkey is like the battle of the kite and snake; whichever destroys the other, leaves a destroyer the less for the world.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f1d/thomas-jefferson-43_battle_i-t-seems-that-the-cannibals-of-europe-a_505685.jpg)