Quotation by

Milan Kundera

Mankind's true moral test, its fundamental test (which lies deeply buried from view), consists of its attitude towards those who are at its mercy: animals. And in this respect mankind has suffered a fundamental debacle, a debacle so fundamental that all o

Milan Kundera

Respect

Understanding this quote AI Analysis

The real measure of human morality is revealed in how people treat animals, who have no power to defend themselves. Kundera argues that humanity has failed this crucial challenge, resulting in a deep ethical collapse.

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An individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in …

Everyone should be respected as an individual, but no one idolized.

Let every man be respected as an individual and no man idolized.

Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery.

If once you forfeit the confidence of your fellow-citizens, you can never regain their respect and esteem.

I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me... All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.