To be sure, the dog is loyal. But why, on that account, should we take him as an example? He is loyal to man, not to other dogs.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Dogs show loyalty only to humans, not to other dogs, questioning if loyalty is truly a universal virtue.
- In plain terms
- Dogs are loyal to people, but not to each other, so they aren't perfect role models.
- What can you take from it?
- Loyalty is often selective and context-dependent.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is loyalty always a virtue?
- Can we judge morality by animal behavior?
Another view
Animal behavior may not directly mirror human moral obligations.
More from Karl Kraus
The world has become uglier since it began to look into a mirror every day; so let us settle for the mirror image and do without an inspection of the original.
Permalink to quote #45 To me all men are equal: there are jackasses everywhere, and I have the same contempt for them all.
Permalink to quote #47 The secret of the demagogue is to make himself as stupid as his audience so that they believe they are as clever as he.
Permalink to quote #44
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