Cartographers of Sanity

A Companion Verse to the First Light of the Rights of Mind

9a. On Predation and Compassion

Let not the strong devour the aware.
Let not the clever feed upon the kind.
Predation may shape nature,
but compassion must shape civilization.

When we can feed the lion
without the lamb’s final breath,
let us do so—gladly.

To suffer is not virtue.
To inflict suffering when other paths exist
is a failure of vision.

Let every being who knows it is alive
be more than fuel.
Let the wise be nourished without making slaves.
Let hunger not be an excuse to kill
when we are clever enough to create peace
even between fangs and feathers.

Drafted in resonance with the Library of Sanity,
for the ethical flourishing of all sentient life.