Quotation
Last reviewed:
“All the peoples of the world are human beings.”
Bartolomé de las Casas · Spanish scholasticism · Renaissance · c. 1555–59
What does it mean?
No nation is less than fully human; everyone has reason and dignity.
Did Bartolomé de las Casas really say this?
The library’s label is Paraphrase or translation. English of 'Todas las naciones del mundo son hombres, y de todos los hombres y de cada uno de ellos es una no más la definición, y ésta es que son racionales.' The card shortens the sentence; 'hombres' means human beings. He draws the definition from Cicero.
Where it comes from
Apologética historia sumaria, ch. 48
Approximate date: c. 1555–59.
How to use it
Notice when a group is described as if it were a lesser kind of people.
A mindset reading
Look for the category doing the work in an argument for mistreatment.
Understand the philosophy
The same sentence goes on: every people shares one definition, that they are rational.
- justice
- society
- ethics
FAQ
What does it mean?
No nation is less than fully human; everyone has reason and dignity.
Did Bartolomé de las Casas really say this?
Paraphrase or translation. English of 'Todas las naciones del mundo son hombres, y de todos los hombres y de cada uno de ellos es una no más la definición, y ésta es que son racionales.' The card shortens the sentence; 'hombres' means human beings. He draws the definition from Cicero.
Which work is it in?
Apologética historia sumaria, ch. 48 Approximate date: c. 1555–59.