Quote by Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom
Whipping and abuse are like laudanum; you have to double the dose as the sensibilities decline.
Summary
This quote suggests that violence and mistreatment, like the drug laudanum, become less effective over time. As the sensitivity of an individual or a society decreases, more severe measures are required to achieve the desired impact. It implies that when people become desensitized to punishment or abuse, the intensity must be increased to still have an effect. It implies a chain reaction where initial brutality leads to diminishing sensitivity, ultimately necessitating harsher and crueler actions to maintain control or influence.
Topics
Torture
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