Quote by William James
We, the lineal representatives of the successful enactors of one scene of slaughter after another, must, whatever more pacific virtues we may also possess, still carry about with us, ready at any moment to burst into flame, the smoldering and sinister traits of character by means of which they lived through so many massacres, harming others, but themselves unharmed.
Summary
This quote suggests that as humans, we are the inheritors of a violent history and carry within us the potential for aggression and harm. Despite possessing other peaceful qualities, we still possess the remnants of the traits that allowed our ancestors to survive multiple atrocities without being harmed themselves. It implies that our capacity for violence and harm lies dormant within us and can be triggered at any moment, revealing our dark and dubious nature inherited from our predecessors.
Topics
Anger
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