Animal Quote by William Cowper
“And in that hour, The seeds of cruelty, that since have swell'd To such gigantic and enormous growth, Were sown in human nature's fruitful soil. Hence date the persecution and the pain That man inflicts on all inferior kinds, Regardless of their plaints.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Task, William Cowper, 1785
Human nature contains both good and evil, and cruelty can grow when negative traits are nurtured.
In simple terms: Cruelty can grow from human nature.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and curb cruelty early.
Themes
human nature
cruelty
persecution
justice
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- education
- policy making
- community leadership
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Moral philosophy
psychology
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we nurture compassion over cruelty?
- What societal structures can limit cruelty?
A Different Perspective
Human nature also produces compassion, not only cruelty.
![“[He was disgusted] at the beasts who in callous cruelty had dragged down and maimed and destroyed the human dignity of this selfless man. Yet it was nothing new. It had been like this at some point in every civilization and on every continent. There were human jackals for every human disaster.” quote by Pat Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/37d/pat-frank-29370_human-dignity_he-was-disgusted-at-the-beasts-who-in-ca_734304.jpg)
