A lifelong intimacy with animals has got me out of the common notion that they are automata with a slight infusion of intelligence in their composition. The mind in beast and bird, as in man, is the main thing.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the depth of consciousness and intelligence in animals, challenging the idea that they are merely instinctive beings.
William Henry Hudson asserts that true understanding of animals reveals their complexity and intelligence, countering the simplistic view of them as mere machines acting on instinct. He highlights the importance of recognizing the minds of animals, suggesting that they possess an inner life and thoughts comparable to humans.
In practice
In a speech about animal rights, one might reference this quote to highlight the complexity of animal minds.
For here the religion that languishes in crowded cities or steals shame-faced to hide itself in dim churches, flourishes greatly, filling the soul with a solemn joy. Face to face with Nature on the vast hills at eventide, who does not feel himself near to the Unseen?
Knowledge is dangerous, which is why governments often clamp down on people who can think thoughts above a certain caliber.
For mine own part, it was Greek to me.
A man who has work that suits him and a wife, whom he loves, has squared his accounts with life.
To Yossarian, the idea of pennants as prizes was absurd. No money went with them, no class privileges. Like Olympic medals and tennis trophies, all they signified was that the owner had done something of no benefit to anyone more capably than everyone else.
Some men change their party for the sake of their principles; others their principles for the sake of their party
A government capable of controlling the whole, and bringing its force to a point, is one of the prerequisites for national liberty. We combine in society, with an expectation to have our persons and properties defended against unreasonable exactions either at home or abroad.
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