A collection of proverbs, quotes and sayings about mankind or humankind and humans in general.
There is another collection about men (male humans), but sometimes the difference between men and mankind is confusing. Stupidity is a common factor.
Showing results 51 to 79 of 79
Talking nonsense is man's only privilege that distinguishes him from all other organisms.
Fyodor DostoevskyThat's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.
Neil ArmstrongThe creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.
George OrwellSource: Animal Farm
The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race.
Stephen HawkingThe difference in mind between man and the higher animals, great as it is, certainly is one of degree and not of kind.
Charles DarwinSource: The Descent of Man
The doctor sees all the weakness of mankind; the lawyer all the wickedness, the theologian all the stupidity.
Arthur SchopenhauerThe evidence for human-made climate change is overwhelming.
James HansenThe human failing I would most like to correct is aggression. It may have had survival advantage in caveman days, to get more food, territory or partner with whom to reproduce, but now it threatens to destroy us all.
Stephen HawkingThe human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.
Mark TwainThe importance we attach to language is just ridiculous.
Frans de WaalSource: Mama's Last Hug
The moral sense perhaps affords the best and highest distinction between man and the lower animals.
Charles DarwinThe only way to comprehend what mathematicians mean by Infinity is to contemplate the extent of human stupidity.
VoltaireThe principle of universality admits no exception. Human rights truly are the birthright of all human beings.
Navanethem PillayThere are three classes of people: those who see, those who see when they are shown, those who do not see.
Leonardo da VinciThere are two problems for our species' survival - nuclear war and environmental catastrophe - and we're hurtling towards them. Knowingly.
Noam ChomskyThose who are governed by reason desire nothing for themselves which they do not also desire for the rest of humankind.
Baruch SpinozaUnder capitalism, man exploits man. Under communism, it's just the opposite.
John Kenneth GalbraithWe admit that we are like apes, but we seldom realise that we are apes.
Richard DawkinsWe are a unique ape. We have language. Other animals have systems of communication that fall far short of that. They don't have the same ability to communicate complicated conditionals and what-ifs and talk about things that are not present.
Richard DawkinsWe are a very, very unusual species.
Richard DawkinsWe are all different. There is no such thing as a standard or run-of-the-mill human being, but we share the same human spirit.
Stephen HawkingWe are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are here for I don't know.
W.H. AudenWe are creatures trapped in culture.
Terri GuillemetsWe hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.
(unknown author)Source: Declaration of Independence
What is different about the way we act that makes us, and not any other species, moral beings?
Frans de WaalSource: Primates and Philosophers: How Morality Evolved
When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization.
Daniel WebsterWhile it is true that animals are not humans, it is equally true that humans are animals.
Frans de WaalSource: Primates and Philosophers: How Morality Evolved
Whoever makes two ears of corn, or two blades of grass to grow where only one grew before, deserves better of mankind, and does more essential service to his country than the whole race of politicians put together.
Jonathan SwiftWithout question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza.
Dave Barry