Inspirational Quotations on Cruelty

Detested sport, that owes its pleasures to another’s pain.
—William Cowper (1731–1800) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer

A fly may sting a stately horse and make him wince; but one is but an insect, and the other is a horse still.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist

I would not enter on my list of friends the man who needlessly sets foot upon a worm.
—William Cowper (1731–1800) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer

The only cure for contempt is counter-contempt.
—H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American Journalist, Literary Critic

One of the ill effects of cruelty is that it makes the by-standers cruel.
—Thomas Buxton, 1st Baronet (1786–1845) British Philanthropist, Abolitionist

Cruelty and fear shake hands together.
—Honore de Balzac (1799–1850) French Novelist

It’s not a slam at you when people are rude—it’s a slam at the people they’ve met before.
—Unknown

Man’s inhumanity to man, makes countless thousands mourn.
—Robert Burns (1759–96) Scottish Poet, Songwriter

All cruelty springs from hard-heartedness and weakness.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian

Cruelty, like every other vice, requires no motive outside of itself; it only requires opportunity.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist