If a dog starts biting you, you can't kick it up the throat like it deserves. People always say 'Oh dear, poor little dog, he was only trying to be friendly. That's the way he tries to be friendly, sniffing at your ankles and biting you, you cruel, wicked man.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker critiques societal tolerance for harmful behavior disguised as friendliness.
- In plain terms
- People excuse bad behavior by calling it friendly attempts.
- What can you take from it?
- Don't excuse harm just because it claims good intentions.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you spot false friendliness?
- Should good intentions excuse bad actions?
Another view
The analogy oversimplifies complex human intentions.
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