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About this quote

What does it mean?
Humans are uniquely cruel, inflicting pain for pleasure, unlike any other animal.
In plain terms
People are the only creatures that enjoy causing suffering.
What can you take from it?
Reflect on moral responsibility and empathy.

Where it applies

  • philosophical debate
  • animal rights activism

Putting it to work

  • cultivate empathy
  • study altruistic behavior

Questions to consider

  • What drives humans to be cruel?
  • Are there non‑human examples of cruelty?

Another view

It ignores instances of animal cruelty and human compassion.

More from Samuel Langhorne Clemens

  1. There is nothing lower than the human race except the French.

    Permalink to quote #190
  2. They did not know it was impossible, so they did it!

    Permalink to quote #192
  3. There are no dialogues, only intersecting monologues.

    Permalink to quote #189

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