When a man confines an animal in a cage, he…

When a man confines an animal in a cage, he assumes ownership of that animal. But an animal is an individual; it cannot be owned. When a man tries to own an individual, whether that individual be another man, an animal or even a tree, he suffers the psychic consequences of an unnatural act.

Sourced, Another Roadside Attraction
(1971)

Other Tom Robbins Quotes

The Middle Ages hangs over history’s belt like a beer belly. It is too late now for aerobic dancing or cottage cheese lunches to reduce the Middle Ages. History will have to wear size 48 shorts forever. - View Quote Details on The Middle Ages hangs over history’s belt like a beer…
Suppose the neutral angels were able to talk to Yahweh and Lucifer- God and Satan, to use their popular titles- into settling out of court. What would be the terms of the compromise? Specifically, how would they divide the assets of their earthly kingdom? Would God be satisfied to take loaves and fishes and itty-bitty thimbles of Communion wine, while allowing Satan to have the redeye Gravy, eighteen ounce New York steak, and buckets of chilled champagne? Would God really accept twice-a-month lovemaking for procreative purposes and give Satan the all-night, no-holds-barred, nasty “can’t-get-enough-of-you” hot-as-hell fucks? - View Quote Details on Suppose the neutral angels were able to talk to Yahweh…
A person can’t make a career out of somebody else’s invective. - View Quote Details on A person can’t make a career out of somebody else’s…
There are two kinds of people in this world : those who believe there are two kinds of people in this world and those who are smart enough to know better. - View Quote Details on There are two kinds of people in this world : those…
Funny how we think of romance as always involving two, when the romance of solitude can be ever so much more delicious and intense. - View Quote Details on Funny how we think of romance as always involving two,…
Nobody can say the word “naked” as nakedly as Cohen. - View Quote Details on Nobody can say the word “naked” as nakedly as Cohen.
Of the seven deadly sins, lust is definitely the pick of the litter. - View Quote Details on Of the seven deadly sins, lust is definitely the pick…
There’s birth, there’s death, and in between there’s maintenance. - View Quote Details on There’s birth, there’s death, and in between there’s maintenance.
It couldn’t have been Pan’s output alone because Alobar’s testicles were as flat and juiceless as trampled grapes. - View Quote Details on It couldn’t have been Pan’s output alone because Alobar’s testicles…
If you believe in peace, act peacefully; if you believe in love, acting lovingly; if you believe every which way, then act every which way, that’s perfectly valid— but don’t go out trying to sell your beliefs to the system. You end up contradicting what you profess to believe in, and you set a bum example. If you want to change the world, change yourself. - View Quote Details on If you believe in peace, act peacefully; if you believe…