"People who keep dogs are cowards who haven't got the guts to bite people themselves"

August Strindberg’s provocative statement suggests a deeper critique of human nature and social behavior. The idea that those who keep dogs are avoiding direct confrontation implies that people may seek out indirect means of expressing aggression, dominance, or defense rather than facing conflicts head-on. By characterizing dog owners as “cowards,” Strindberg draws a sharp distinction between authentic, personal agency and delegated power, implying that it is somehow more honest or courageous to act oneself rather than to rely on another being (the dog) to enact one's will or protect one's interests.

This sentiment reflects an underlying skepticism toward the ways society manages interpersonal tensions. Instead of addressing grievances or perceived threats through dialogue or personal action, individuals may outsource these impulses to their pets, particularly dogs, which are often perceived as loyal protectors or enforcers. In doing so, individuals avoid the personal risk and moral responsibility associated with direct aggression. The dog becomes a proxy, allowing the owner to feel secure, assert control, or intimidate others, without appearing overtly hostile or having to bear the full consequences of their own hostility.

Strindberg’s perspective challenges the motivations behind pet ownership, especially in a context where owning a dog serves practical purposes beyond companionship. His words hold a mirror up to society’s reliance on tools, systems, or other beings to carry out actions that individuals might fear or feel unequipped to perform themselves. It speaks not only to human-animal relationships but to a broader reluctance to engage honestly in confrontation or self-defense. The observation invites reflection on the ethics of responsibility; whether it is nobler to handle one’s own conflicts directly or to transfer that burden onto another, even an animal in one's care. The underlying accusation is one of evasion, an unwillingness to fully own one's aggressive or defensive instincts, preferring, instead, to mask them behind loyalty or affection for a dog.