Blindness Quote by William Pickens
“To cheapen the lives of any group of men [or women], cheapens the lives of all men [and women], even our own. This is a law of human psychology, or human nature. And it will not be repealed by our wishes, nor will it be merciful to our blindness.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Unknown, early 20th century lecture on human nature
Devaluing any group harms everyone, reflecting a universal psychological law that resists change through desire alone.
In simple terms: Treating some people as less valuable hurts all.
Recognize shared humanity to avoid collective harm.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy making
- education
- community building
- leadership decisions
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does devaluing a minority affect societal cohesion?
- What policies can reinforce universal respect?
Changing attitudes requires more than wishes; systemic change is needed.