Abjuring of Flesh-Meat
The work presents a moral and philosophical argument against the consumption of meat, emphasizing the ethical implications of killing animals for food. It asserts that true compassion cannot coexist with the act of eating flesh, as it desensitizes individuals to the suffering of other beings. The text argues that those who partake in meat consumption lack genuine pity and are morally hardened, equating the act of eating flesh with a lack of humanity. The narrative posits that abstaining from meat is synonymous with embracing life and goodness, suggesting that the act of eating flesh leads to spiritual degradation and a connection to hellish consequences. It highlights the interconnectedness of all living beings, urging readers to empathize with the pain and agony experienced by animals. The work advocates for a lifestyle free from violence against living creatures, positioning such abstinence as superior to traditional religious sacrifices. Furthermore, it celebrates those who have transcended ignorance and illusion, recognizing their choice to refrain from consuming flesh as a noble and revered path. The overarching theme promotes a vision of a compassionate world where the cessation of meat consumption leads to a collective reverence for life, underscoring the moral imperative to protect and respect all living beings. The text serves as a call to action for individuals to reflect on their dietary choices and their broader implications for humanity and the planet.
By Thiruvalluvar · First published 2000 · Genre: Philosophical, Religious, Ethical · 220 words
First lines
How can he feel pity, who eateth other flesh in order to fatten his own?
Riches are not for the thriftless: even so pity is not for those that eat meat.
The heart of the man that tasteth flesh turneth not towards good, even as the heart of him that is armed with steel.
The killing of animals is veritable hardness of heart: but the eating of their flesh is iniquity indeed.
What this Textopian page supports
Abjuring of Flesh-Meat is listed on Textopian as an essay by Thiruvalluvar, dated 2000 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Thiruvalluvar
- Date: 2000 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophical, Religious, Ethical, Didactic, Social Commentary
- Length: 220 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Genres
- Philosophical — The text explores deep ethical considerations regarding the consumption of meat and the moral implications of harming living beings.
- Religious — The work reflects on themes of sacrifice, morality, and the spiritual consequences of dietary choices, aligning with religious and spiritual beliefs.
- Ethical — It presents arguments about compassion, non-violence, and the ethical treatment of animals, emphasizing moral responsibility.
- Didactic — The text aims to instruct readers on the virtues of abstaining from meat and the benefits of compassion towards all living beings.
Tags
Philosophical · Poetic · Tamil Literature · Ancient Indian Texts · Ethics · Morality · Spirituality · Self-Discovery · Existentialism · Human Condition · Nature · Cosmology