I can well conceive a man without hands, feet, head. But I cannot conceive man without thought; he would be a stone or a brute.

Summary

This quote expresses the importance of thought and consciousness in defining what it means to be human. While one can imagine a person without certain physical body parts, it is unimaginable for a person to exist without the capacity for thought. In this context, thought is seen as the defining characteristic that separates human beings from inanimate objects or animals. The quote highlights the idea that without the faculty of thought, a human would essentially be devoid of the qualities and capabilities that make us unique as a species.

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