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Animal Rights History Timeline » [1660-1785] Enlightenment: » James Burgh

James Burgh

Dignity of Human Nature

Of Prudence: Of the Proper Method of Proceeding with a Child Who Has a Turn to Cruelty

[1754] James Burgh, "Of Prudence: Of the Proper Method of Proceeding with a Child Who Has a Turn to Cruelty," in The Dignity of Human Nature; or, A Brief Account of the Certain and Established Means for Attaining the True End of Our Existence (1754; London, 1795; Digitized by Google Online at Google Books).

A turn to cruelty, appearing in a child's delighting in teazing his equals, in pulling insects to pieces, and in torturing birds, frogs, cats, or other animals, ought to be rooted out as soon as possible. Children ought to be convinced of what they are not generally aware of, That an animal can feel, though it cannot complain, and that cruelty to a beast or insect, is as much cruelty, and as truly wicked, as when exercised upon our own species. (78)

Let only a parent consider with himself what temper he would have his son be of, when a man; and let him cultivate that in him, while a child. If he would not have him fierce, cruel, or revengeful, let him take care early to shew his displeasure at every instance of surliness, or malice, against his play-fellows, or cruelty to brutes or insects. (78-9)