In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try to train him to be semi-human. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog.
Edward HoaglandRead
Animals used to provide a lowlife way to kill and get away with it, as they do still, but, more intriguingly, for some people they are an aperture through which wounds drain. The scapegoat of olden times, driven off for the bystanders sins, has become a tender thing, a running injury. There, running away is me: hurt it and you are hurting me.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the complex relationship between humans and animals, touching on themes of suffering and empathy.
Edward Hoagland's quote explores the symbolism of animals in human society, portraying them as both victims and conduits of human suffering. It suggests that the act of harming an animal is intrinsically linked to our own emotional wounds, highlighting the empathy and moral responsibilities we hold towards all living beings. By casting animals as a reflection of human pain, Hoagland provokes thought on the ethical implications of our actions and the deep connection between suffering and the natural world.
Themes
AnimalsSufferingEmpathyHumanityMoral Responsibility
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about animal rights, I would quote this to emphasize the connection between human suffering and our treatment of animals.
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