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About this quote

What does it mean?
Cruelty to animals signals low character and ignorance.
In plain terms
If someone is mean to animals, they are not educated or noble.
What can you take from it?
Judge character by how one treats animals.

Where it applies

  • moral judgment
  • civil society

Putting it to work

  • treat animals well
  • advocate for kindness

Questions to consider

  • Does cruelty to animals predict behavior toward people?

Another view

Some cultures may view animal use differently.

More from Alexander von Humboldt

  1. From the remotest nebul? and from the revolving double stars, we have descended to the minutest organisms of animal creation, whether manifested in the depths …

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  2. Only what we have wrought into our character during life can we take away with us.

    Permalink to quote #11
  3. While we maintain the unity of the human species, we at the same time repel the depressing assumption of superior and inferior races of men. There are nations …

    Permalink to quote #8

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