“Now, if amongst men, the differences of their powers of the mind, and of their complexion, stature, and accidents of fortune, do not give any one man a right to abuse or insult any other man on account of these differences; for the same reason, a man can have no natural right to abuse and torment a beast, merely because a beast has not the mental powers of a man.” PhilosophyJusticeMoralityEmpathyEthicsEqualityAnimals Book:The Duty of Mercy: A Dissertation on the Duty of Mercy and Sin of Cruelty to Brute Animals Source: The Duty of Mercy: A Dissertation on the Duty of Mercy and Sin of Cruelty to Brute Animals