Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Harming a defenseless creature disqualifies one from human affection.
In plain terms
Hurting a small bird costs you human love.
What can you take from it?
Avoid cruelty to remain worthy of love.

Where it applies

  • personal conduct
  • moral development
  • animal welfare

Putting it to work

  • practice kindness
  • avoid harm
  • cultivate empathy

Questions to consider

  • Can cruelty to animals ever be justified?

Another view

It assumes a direct link between animal treatment and human acceptance.

More from William Blake

  1. A dog starved at his master's gate Predicts the ruin of the state.

    Permalink to quote #127

  2. A truth that's told with bad intent Beats all the lies you can invent.

    Permalink to quote #129

  3. A robin redbreast in a cage Puts all Heaven in a rage.

    Permalink to quote #126

Related quotes

  1. Say, lordly Man, of pow'rs possest, That no inferior creatures know; Say, can the mind with reason blest, Relentless fury show. To thy domain all beasts belong…

    Elizabeth BentleyElizabeth Bentley quote #1

  2. 'Twould ring the bells of Heaven The wildest peal for years, If Parson lost his senses And people came to theirs, And he and they together Knelt down with angr…

    Ralph HodgsonRalph Hodgson quote #2

  3. To pity distress is but human; to relieve it is Godlike.

    Horace MannHorace Mann quote #5