Man is an animal that diddles, and there is no animal that diddles but man.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The author claims only humans engage in the specific act of diddling (trickery/deception). "s": "Only people trick others; no other animal does.
- What can you take from it?
- Deception and trickery are unique traits of human behavior.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is trickery truly unique to humans?
- What defines human behavior?
Another view
Diddling is vague and other animals deceive too.
More from Edgar Allan Poe
While the angels, all pallid and wan, Uprising, unveiling, affirm That the play is the tragedy, 'Man', And its hero the Conqueror Worm.
Permalink to quote #26 The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins?
Permalink to quote #28 And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held illimitable dominion over all.
Permalink to quote #25
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