We first crush people to the earth, and then claim the right of trampling on them forever, because they are prostrate.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the moral responsibility of those in power to recognize the humanity of the oppressed rather than perpetuating their suffering.
Lydia M. Child's quote comments on the morally dubious nature of societal structures that allow the strong to dominate the weak. It emphasizes that once people are brought down, there is a tendency for those in power to feel justified in maintaining that dominance indefinitely, highlighting the ethical implications of power dynamics and the need for compassion and justice.
In practice
In a discussion on social justice, one might quote this to highlight the need for accountability among those in power.
Nature made us individuals, as she did the flowers and the pebbles; but we are afraid to be peculiar, and so our society resembles a bag of marbles, or a string of mold candles. Why should we all dress after the same fashion? The frost never paints my windows twice alike.
Flowers have spoken to me more than I can tell in written words. They are the hieroglyphics of angels, loved by all men for the beauty of their character, though few can decipher even fragments of their meaning.
Misfortune is never mournful to the soul that accepts it; for such do always see that every cloud is an angel's face.
There is still much debate about whether torture has been effective in eliciting information - the assumption being, apparently, that if it is effective, then it may be justified.
Each day has been chained to the previous one. But the weeks have wings. Anyone who believes that a second is faster than a decade did not live my life.
Nothing, not even human life, is more precious to us than our myths about ourselves.
You think that I am impoverishing myself withdrawing from men, but in my solitude I have woven for myself a silken web or chrysalis, and, nymph-like, shall ere long burst forth a more perfect creature, fitted for a higher society.
The dog is the only living being that has found and recognizes an indubitable, tangible and definite god. He knows to whom above him to give himself. He has not to seek for a superior and infinite power.
One can see now how the idea of heaven takes hold of men's consciousness, how it gains ground even when all the props have been knocked from under it. There must be another world beside this swamp in which everything is dumped pell-mell. It's hard to imagine what it can be like, this heaven that men dream about.
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