The intuitive connection children feel with animals can be a tremendous source of joy. The unconditional love received from pets, and the lack of artifice in the relationship, contrast sharply with the much trickier dealings with members of their own species.
Arabic Translation:

“الصلة الفطرية التي يشعر بها الأطفال تجاه الحيوانات قد تكون منبعاً عظيماً للبهجة. فالحب غير المشروط الذي يتلقونه من حيواناتهم الأليفة، وغياب التكلف في هذه العلاقة، يتناقضان بشدة مع التعاملات الأكثر تعقيداً وحذراً مع أفراد جنسهم.”

العربية
Philosophical Interpretation

This reflection by Frans de Waal centers on the nature of Love and its role in human self-mastery and conscious living. Rather than presenting abstract doctrine, the statement calls the reader to examine daily priorities, separate enduring principles from momentary impulses, and cultivate emotional resilience. The enduring value of this insight lies in reconciling internal conviction with deliberate action, providing a practical anchor for maintaining clarity, intentionality, and inner balance amidst life's uncertainties.

ℹ️ Historical source unverified; interpretation focuses on thematic meaning and practical philosophy.
Free Wisdom Path

Discipline Foundations

Build unshakeable consistency through science-backed micro-habits.

Start Free Path

More quotes by Frans de Waal

View all 14 quotes →
“Popular culture bombards us with examples of animals being humanized for all sorts of purposes, ranging from education to entertai...”
“Deep down, creationists realize they will never win factual arguments with science. This is why they have construed their own scie...”
“If you look at human society, it is very easy, of course, to compare our warfare and territoriality with the chimpanzee. But that'...”
“The enemy of science is not religion. Religion comes in endless shapes and forms... The true enemy is the substitution of thought,...”
“Unlike the primate hand, the elephant's grasping organ is also its nose. Elephants use their trunks not only to reach food but als...”
“The term 'alpha female' originated in my field of animal behavior, but has acquired new meaning. It refers to women who are in cha...”

More Love quotes

Explore category →
“Find the beliefs that are strangling your feelings, challenge them for your sake as well as theirs, and see how it feels to love s...”
“My hunch is that pop culture began to stagnate the moment Americans started to love the past more than they did the future.”
“Why do people so love to wander? I think the civilized parts of the World will suffice for me in the future.”
“Two persons love in one another the future good which they aid one another to unfold.”
“To love someone is to isolate him from the world, wipe out every trace of him, dispossess him of his shadow, drag him into a murde...”
“I'm a dad and a husband, and so the things that I love to do are all geared around my family.”
✉️

One great quote. Every morning. Free.

Join thousands of wisdom seekers getting daily quotes from 300,000+ curated sources.

Free forever. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.