Animal Rights History »»James Burgh



James Burgh

1754 | The Dignity of Human Nature

Cruelty, even to the brute creation, is altogether unjustifiable, much more to our fellow-creatures. (James Burgh, The Dignity of Human Nature, [1754] "Of Virtue")

Children ought to be convinced of what they are not generally aware of, That an animal can fell, 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. (James Burgh, The Dignity of Human Nature [1754], "Of Prudence")

Let only a parent consider with himself what temper he would have his som 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 displesure at every instance of surliness, or malice, against his play-fellow, or cruelty to brutes or insects. (James Burgh, The Dignity of Human Nature [1754], "Of Prudence")








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1754 | James Burgh, "Of Pruduence: Of the Proper Method of Proceeding with a Child who Has a Turn to Cruelty," and "Of Virtue, Of Our Obligations with Respect to our Fellow-Creatures, The Foundation of all which Duties is Benevolence," in The Dignity of Human Nature; or, A Brief Account…for Attaining the True End of Our Existence [First Edition: London, 1754] New Ed. (London, 1767; Digitized by Google, 2006)

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