Animals have such a profound effect on our everyday lives, whether we realise it or not. From the animal companions that live in our homes to the wild critters that uphold our ecosystems, our world would be nothing without them.
Weโve picked 11 lesser-known animal quotes that offer insight and inspiration.
1. โIf you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and man.โ โ Mark Twain
This quote by author Mark Twain is a testament to the loyalty and kindness offered by dogs when they have been cared for โ a trait that is not always reliable in humans.
2. โThe clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.โ โ John Muir
We humans often spend time pondering the vast expanse of the universe, without realising that many of the answers we seek are right in front of us. The earthโs wildernesses and their wildlife are a fantastic source of wisdom, and are entire universes in their own right, offering truths about our world and our place within it.
3. โThe greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.โ โ Mahatma Gandhi
In societies driven by consumerism, the welfare of animals is often overlooked. Animals arenโt just affected by our food choices, but also the things we buy and how we treat our environment. Therefore, we must consider how the way we live our lives impacts animals if we want to progress as a collective.
4. โPeople speak sometimes about the “bestial” cruelty of man, but that is terribly unjust and offensive to beasts, no animal could ever be so cruel as a man, so artfully, so artistically cruel.โ โ Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Animals are often misunderstood โ seen as brutal or โbestialโ, as outlined in Fyodor Dostoyevskyโs quote. But animals, unlike humans, have no ulterior motive โ they only wish to survive and will always play a vital role in our ecosystems, however we perceive them.
5. โSome people talk to animals. Not many listen though. That’s the problem.โ โ A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
Many people think that animal communication means being able to talk to animals. However, the most fundamental part of the practice is listening to what the animal is trying to tell you. Animals convey information with their body language, but so more than that โ we can foster much deeper connections with them if we just learn to listen.
6. โOur perfect companions never have fewer than four feet.โ โ Colette
For centuries, humans have understood the value of animal companionship, whether itโs a practical, working relationship or an intimate bond that supports us spiritually or emotionally. Animal companionship exists in almost every culture across the globe โ they truly are our greatest friends.
7. โUntil one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.โ โ Anatole France
The bond between an animal and a human is special in that it is unspoken. It transcends the need for verbal communication, and the love we feel for our animal companions exceeds most other relationships. This kind of love awakens the soul in a unique way โ we often feel as strongly (if not more so) about our animal companions as we do about our families. Thatโs pretty special for an interspecies friendship!
8. โCompassion for animals is intimately associated with goodness of character, and it may be confidently asserted that he who is cruel to animals cannot be a good man.โ โ Arthur Schopenhauer, The Basis of Morality
Compassion for something that doesnโt look like you, or that canโt speak for itself, is representative of an inherent goodness of character. Those who show compassion for animals are often unbiased, unjudgmental, and, mostly importantly, kind.
9. โPetting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.โ โ Dean Koontz, False Memory
Many studies have shown that cuddling our animal companionsโ releases oxytocin, AKA the โcuddle hormoneโ. This chemical message does wonders for our health, lowering stress levels and anxiety, and can even boost your immune system and reduce blood pressure.
10. โWe have to speak up on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselvesโ โ Peter Singer, Animal Liberation
It is easy to turn a blind eye to the suffering of those who do not have a voice, such as animals. But this is when it is most important to speak up. Everyone should do their bit to help animals and nature, as they play such an integral role in the maintenance of our home โ earth. Animal Communication is a key route to animals voices to be heard.
11. โLet us remember that animals are not mere resources for human consumption. They are splendid beings in their own right, who have evolved alongside us as co-inheritors of all the beauty and abundance of life on this planetโ โ Marc Bekoff, Animals Matter: A Biologist Explains Why We Should Treat Animals with Compassion and Respect
Animals are often underestimated, or dismissed as mere โinferiorsโ of humans. But we must remember โ animals have endured the same hardships as us, surviving over millennia. Just because they can not speak like us does not make them any less clever, resilient, or worthy of respect. We must do everything we can to protect animals and their native environments, so that they can continue to thrive alongside us and uphold our ecosystems.
For more information on animal communication and updates from the animal kingdom, visit the Animal Thoughts Blog.
Pea Horsleyย is an international teacher,ย TEDx speakerย and bestselling author of 3 books includingย โHeart to Heartโย andย โThe Animal Communicatorโs Guideโ, which have been translated into nine languages, online courseย Animal Communication Made Easy, and creator of theย Conversations with Nature World Summit. Pea is the UKโs most highly regarded animal communicator and wild animal retreat facilitator. Join Pea’s membership, The Pride, and be part of a global community listening to a council of animals advising humanity and together forging real transformation.
