It is as absurd to argue men, as to torture them, into believing.
John Henry NewmanRead
Now what is it moves our very hearts, and sickens us so much at cruelty shown to poor brutes? I suppose this first, that they have done no harm; next, that they have no power whatever of resistance; it is the cowardice and tyranny of which they are the victims which makes their sufferings so especially touching.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the emotional response elicited by the suffering of defenseless animals and criticizes the cruelty they endure.
In this quote, John Henry Newman expresses a profound sense of empathy towards animals who suffer without the ability to defend themselves. He suggests that the cruelty they face not only stems from their innocence but also highlights the moral cowardice of those who inflict such pain upon beings that cannot resist or fight back. This recognition of their plight calls for a deeper understanding of compassion and humanity's responsibility toward the vulnerable.
Themes
CompassionCrueltyAnimalsEmpathySuffering
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about animal rights, I would refer to this quote to emphasize the importance of compassion towards all living beings.
More from John Henry Newman
All quotes →A cloud of incense was rising on high; the people suddenly all bowed low; what could it mean? The truth flashed on him, fearfully yet sweetly; it was the Blessed Sacrament - it was the Lord Incarnate who was on the altar, who had come to visit and bless his people. It was the Great Presence, which makes a Catholic Church different from every other place in the world; which makes it, as no other place can be - holy.
John Henry NewmanRead
It is seldom we have the heart to throw ourselves, if I may so speak, on the Divine Arm; we dare not trust ourselves on the waters, though Christ bids us. We have not St. Peter's love to ask leave to come to him upon the sea. When we once are filled with that heavenly charity, we can do all things, because we attempt all things - for to attempt is to do.
John Henry NewmanRead
A science is not mere knowledge, it is knowledge which has undergone a process of intellectual digestion. It is the grasp of many things brought together in one, and hence is its power; for, properly speaking, it is Science that is power, not Knowledge.
John Henry NewmanRead
Evil has no substance of its own, but is only the defect, excess, perversion, or corruption of that which has substance.
John Henry NewmanRead
How many writers are there... who, breaking up their subject into details, destroy its life, and defraud us of the whole by their anxiety about the parts.
John Henry NewmanRead
Similar quotes
Unless you have suffered and wept, you really don't understand what compassion is, nor can you give comfort to someone who is suffering. If you haven't cried, you can't dry another's eyes. Unless you've walked in darkness, you can't help wanderers find the way. Unless you've looked into the eyes of menacing death and felt its hot breath, you can't help another rise from the dead and taste anew the joy of being alive.
Takashi NagaiRead
For animals that are overworked, underfed, and cruelly treated; for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars; for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry; for all that must be put to death...and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words.
Albert SchweitzerRead
We have to have a deep, patient compassion for the fears of others and irrational mania of those who hate or condemn us.
Thomas MertonRead
Let us not demean or belittle. Rather, let us be compassionate and encouraging.
Thomas S. MonsonRead
For arousing compassion, the nineteenth-century yogi Patrul Rinpoche suggested imagining beings in torment - an animal about to be slaughtered, a person awaiting execution. To make it more immediate, he recommended imagining ourselves in their place. Particularly painful is his image of a mother with no arms watching as a raging river sweeps her child away. To contact the suffering of another being fully and directly is as painful as being in the woman's shoes.
Pema ChodronRead
Compassion is a muscle that gets stronger with use, and the regular exercise of choosing kindness over cruelty would change us.
Jonathan Safran FoerRead