Humanity Quote by Yuval Noah Harari
““Sapiens instinctively divide humanity into two parts, ‘we’ and ‘they’. We are people like you and me, who share our language, religion and customs. We are all responsible for each other, but not responsible for them. We were always distinct from them, and owe them nothing. We don’t want to see any of them in our territory, and we don’t care an iota what happens in their territory. They are barely even human.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, 2014
Humans instinctively split into “us” and “them,” feeling responsibility only toward their own group while dehumanizing outsiders.
In simple terms: People divide into groups and ignore others’ suffering.
Key Takeaway
Recognize shared humanity.
Themes
identity
division
responsibility
empathy
inhumanization
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- politics
- workplace
- online communities
- international relations
Key Concepts
social psychology
in‑group bias
ethical responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives us to see others as less human?
- How can we foster broader empathy?
A Different Perspective
Overcoming deep‑rooted biases is difficult.
