"In the animal kingdom, the rule is, eat or be eaten; in the human kingdom, define or be defined"
- Thomas Szasz
About this Quote
This quote by Thomas Szasz speaks with the power of self-determination and the importance of defining oneself. In the animal kingdom, survival is based upon the capability to take in or be consumed. In the human kingdom, nevertheless, the power of self-definition is critical. We have the ability to specify ourselves and our place on the planet, rather than simply being specified by our environment or the expectations of others. This quote motivates us to take control of our lives and to specify ourselves in a way that is significant and genuine. It is a suggestion that we have the power to form our own fate, and that we must make every effort to be the authors of our own stories. By taking ownership of our lives and specifying ourselves, we can produce a life that is true to our values and beliefs.
"Often and often afterwards, the beloved Aunt would ask me why I had never told anyone how I was being treated. Children tell little more than animals, for what comes to them they accept as eternally established"
"Certainly it is wrong to be cruel to animals and the destruction of a whole species can be a great evil. The capacity for feelings of pleasure and pain and for the form of life of which animals are capable clearly impose duties of compassion and humanity in their case"
