We should never rush into folly just because other nations are practicing it.
Leon KassRead
As bad as it might be to destroy a creature made in God's image, it might be very much worse to be creating them after images of one's own.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote warns against the consequences of creating life in our own flawed image rather than respecting the divine creation.
Leon Kass reflects on the moral implications of creation, suggesting that while it is wrong to destroy living beings seen as created in God's image, it may be even more troubling to create beings in our own imperfect likeness. This raises profound questions about the nature of creation, ethics, and the responsibilities of those who have the power to create.
Themes
CreationEthicsDivineResponsibilityImperfect
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate on the ethics of genetic engineering, one might quote Kass to emphasize the importance of considering the nature of what is being created.
More from Leon Kass
All quotes βOne should proceed with caution. We may simply not be wise enough to do some of the kinds of engineering things that people are talking about doing.
Leon KassRead
There's an ancient tension between wanting to savor the world as it is and wanting to improve on the world as given.
Leon KassRead
It's a short step from the belief that every child should be wanted to the belief that a child exists to satisfy our wants.
Leon KassRead
Sexuality itself means mortality - equally for both man and woman.
Leon KassRead
Human life without death would be something other than human; consciousness of mortality gives rise to out deepest longings and greatest accomplishments.
Leon KassRead
Similar quotes
Do you know what religion is, Martin, my friend? -I can barely remember Lord's Prayer. -A beautiful and well-crafted prayer. Poetry aside, a religion is really a moral code that is expressed through legends,myths, or any type of literary device in order to establish a system of beliefs, values , and rules with which to regulate a culture or a society.
Carlos Ruiz ZafonRead
In charity to all mankind, bearing no malice or ill will to any human being, and even compassionating those who hold in bondage their fellow men, not knowing what they do.
John Quincy AdamsRead
I looked back at the summit of the mountain, which seemed but a cubit high in comparison with the height of human contemplation, were in not too often merged in the corruptions of the earth.
PetrarchRead
Are you acquainted with the mood of mind in which, if you were seated alone, and the cat licking its kitten on the rug before you, you would watch the operation so intently that puss's neglect of one ear would put you seriously out of temper?
Emily BronteRead
If our condition were truly happy, we would not seek diversion from it in order to make ourselves happy.
Blaise PascalRead
True karate is this: that in daily life one's mind and body be trained and developed in a spirit of humility, and that in critical times, one be devoted utterly to the cause of justice.
Gichin FunakoshiRead