Who said “In the animal kingdom, the rule is, eat or be eaten; in the human kingdom, define or be…”?

Verified

Thomas Szasz. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceThe Second Sin (1973)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Second Sin (1973).

APA

Szasz, T. (n.d.). In the animal kingdom, the rule is, eat or be eaten; in the human kingdom, define or be defined. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12519-in-the-animal-kingdom-the-rule-is-eat/

MLA

Szasz, Thomas. “In the animal kingdom, the rule is, eat or be eaten; in the human kingdom, define or be defined.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12519-in-the-animal-kingdom-the-rule-is-eat/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Szasz, Thomas. “In the animal kingdom, the rule is, eat or be eaten; in the human kingdom, define or be defined.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12519-in-the-animal-kingdom-the-rule-is-eat/.