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William Godwin: The Apostle of "Universal Benevolence"

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P.B. Shelley, "ardour of universal benevolence.."

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William Blake in "Divine Image" advocates universal benevolence

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The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Chapter XXVI

Having passed over the nearest mountains we entered a delightful vale, where we perceived a multitude of persons at a feast of living bulls, whose flesh they cut away with great knives, making a table of the creature’s carcase, serenaded by the bellowing of the unfortunate animal. Nothing seemed requisite to add to the barbarity of this feast but kava, made as described in Cook’s voyages, and at the conclusion of the feast we perceived them brewing this liquor, which they drank with the utmost avidity. From that moment, inspired with an idea of universal benevolence, I determined to abolish the custom of eating live flesh and drinking of kava. But I knew that such a thing could not be immediately effected, whatever in future time might be performed.

// posted by Alice @ Tuesday, October 18, 2005