July 21, 2015

Word

Rats and roaches live by competition under the laws of supply and demand. It is the privilege of human beings to live under the laws of justice and mercy. - Wendell Berry

2 comments:

Nebris said...

'he laws of justice and mercy' LOL

Anonymous said...

I don't know from what context the quote was taken. But being familiar with Wendell Berry's work I think he may have been musing on something I've often thought about. Namely that humans are free to some extent from the instincts that determine the behavior of other animals. So why haven't they done better in the area of justice and mercy?

And I think many of Mark Twain's comments that have been labeled misanthropic are frustrated idealism.