That he delights in the misery of others no man will confess, and yet what other motive can make a father cruel?
Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- No one admits to enjoying others' pain, yet cruelty often stems from hidden personal motives.
- In plain terms
- People won't admit they like hurting others, but cruelty happens anyway.
- What can you take from it?
- Look beyond stated reasons for cruel behavior.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What drives cruelty if not pleasure?
- Why do people deny dark motives?
Another view
It generalizes all cruelty to a single motive.
More from Samuel Johnson
No oppression is so heavy or lasting as that which is inflicted by the perversion and exorbitance of legal authority.
Permalink to quote #56 The unjustifiable severity of a parent is loaded with this aggravation, that those whom he injures are always in his sight.
Permalink to quote #58 Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble.
Permalink to quote #55
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