「生ける物を殺し、傷め、闘わしめて、遊び楽しまん人は、畜生残害の類なり。・・・彼に苦しみを与え、命を奪わん事、いかでかいたましからざらん。すべて一切の有情を見て、慈悲の心なからんは、人倫にあらず」 【徒然草 吉田兼好】 ~ふりがな~ いけるものを ころし、いため、たたかわしめて、あそび たのしまん ひとは、ちくしょう ざんがいの たぐいなり。 かれに くるしみを あたえ、いのちを うばわんこと、いかでか いたましからざらん。 すべて いっさいの うじょうを みて、じひの こころ なからんは、じんりんに あらず Those who kill, injure, or make living beings fight for their amusement and pleasure are no different from cruel beasts. … How can it not be pitiful to cause them suffering and take their lives? Anyone who sees sentient beings and feels no compassion is unworthy of being called human. Yoshida Kenkō, Tsurezuregusa This quote by Yoshida Kenkō teaches us that compassion and kindness toward all living beings are at the heart of what it means to be human. It’s a universal message that applies not only to animals, but also of course to our relationships with other people. Especially in today’s world, where we sometimes see people looking down on others or causing harm, remembering these words can help us reconnect with the values we should cherish as human beings.