"Only a few of us had been able to face directly the obscene conditions we inflicted on animals in our farm factories and modern slaughter houses; but most of us knew on some level that they entailed a suffering that was too much to “stomach.” We can appreciate now what it did to us to eat animals kept long in pain and terror. Because the mass methods employed to raise and kill animals for our tables were relatively new, we did not fully realize the deprivation and torture they entailed. Only a few of us guessed that the glandular responses of the cattle and pigs and chickens pumped adrenalin into their bodies and that we ate with their flesh the rage of the chickens, the terror of the pigs and cattle… Acting now with more respect for other beings, we find we have more respect for ourselves."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Buddhists from the United StatesWomen authors from the United StatesWomen academics from the United StatesEnvironmentalists from the United StatesActivists from San Francisco
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Foreword to Diet for a New America by John Robbins (H J Kramer, 2011)
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Joanna_Macy
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Joanna Macy
Joanna Rogers Macy (May 2, 1929 – July 19, 2025) was an environmental activist, author, scholar of Buddhism, general systems theory, and deep ecology.
2 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Joanna Macy →
Related Quotes
"Joanna Macy writes that until we can grieve for our planet we cannot love it—grieving is a sign of spiritual health. …"
"is credited with introducing into India the traditionally used by the s as elegant camping groounds. ... Not merely s…"
"In the first century , Roman warriors invaded Persia for power and plunder and were captivated by the s. Following hi…"
"The small and graceful with its solitary pink blossoms was … acquired from with the , often favored for its delicate …"
"The Taj Mahal is an unforgettable visual experience. With every change of light there appear subtle variations in the…"
"Shatter her beauteous breast ye may; The Spirit of England none can slay! Dash the bomb on the dome of Paul's, — Deem…"
"We shall never understand the natural environment until we see it not as just so much air, water, and real estate, bu…"
"Karen has many privileges. She must learn not to take, always, the extra inch when the ell is so gladly granted."
"These insolent words, hurled at it, convulsed the livid face that fronted Karen. And suddenly, holding Karen's should…"
"Her eyes came back to Karen's face and fury again seized her. "And as for you, ungrateful girl—perfidious, yes, and i…"