> The idea that “Man is a wolf to man” sums up many of Hobbes’ theories in a single phrase. However, it should be noted that the sentence so often quoted as summarising Hobbes’ theories continues, “Man is an arrant wolf to man, and man to man is a God.” <
> To speak impartially, both sayings are very true; That Man to Man is a kind of God; and that Man to Man is an arrant Wolfe. The first is true, if we compare Citizens amongst themselves; and the second, if we compare Cities.
In other words, within a group we often see niceness, and between groups we often see nastiness - both are parts of human nature.
> But I think the message is, as it’s carried over the years, is that there’s one sin, which is to treat people as things. And most of the other things of mankind, actually stem from that sin.
I remember reading that bit years ago, it was said by Granny Weatherwax (I don't remember which book it was in, though). It resonated deeply with me, and I find it an astute observation.
No man is an Iland, intire of it selfe; every man is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine; if a Clod bee washed away by the Sea, Europe is the lesse, as well as if a Promontorie were, as well as if a Mannor of thy friends or of thine owne were; any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.[22] [Donne's original spelling and punctuation]
Sorry, not all that relevant, but it sounds too good, so couldn't resist quoting it.
>It is an important and popular fact that things are not always what they seem. For instance, on the planet Earth, man had always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much – the wheel, New York, wars, and so on – whilst all the dolphins had ever done was muck about in the water having a good time. But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man – for precisely the same reasons.
> That was the very centre of his genius - he invented things that anyone could have thought of, and men who can invent things that anyone could have thought of are very rare men.
Original: “Besides, it is a disgrace to grow old through sheer carelessness before seeing what manner of man you may become by developing your bodily strength and beauty to their highest limit. But you cannot see that, if you are careless; for it will not come of its own accord.” (http://perseus.uchicago.edu/perseus-cgi/citequery3.pl?dbname...)
> One need look no further than the numerous metaphors that have been passed down from these non-urban times: stubborn as a mule, wise as serpents, cunning like a fox, horse-sense, wise as an owl, etc...
Are you sure that comes from nature observation ?
Satire used to criticize the powerful of the world picturing them as animals. So these associations might not come from where you think they do. La Fontaine's fables are a good example of that. He was not the only one to do that.
https://www.grin.com/document/127218
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