We Irish had the right word on the tip of our tongue, but the imperialist got at that. What should trip off it we trip over.
Brigid BrophyI don't hold animals superior or even equal to humans. The whole case for behaving decently to animals rests on the fact that we are the superior species. We are the species uniquely capable of imagination, rationality, and moral choice - and that is precisely why we are under an obligation to recognize and respect the rights of animals.
Brigid BrophyThe popular distinction between 'constructive' and 'destructive' criticism is a sentimentality: the mind too weak to perceive in what respects the bad fails is not strong enough to appreciate in what the good succeeds. To be without discrimination is to be unable to praise. The critic who lets you know that he always looks for something to like in works he discusses is not telling you anything about the works or about art; he is saying 'see what a nice person I am.
Brigid BrophyA medical profession founded on callousness to the pain of the other animals may eventually destroy its own sensibility to the pain of humans.
Brigid Brophy