“Men, from their early years, are reared in the midst of goods of the body and senses, the source of corrupt behavior, and, because they constantly deal with them, know them better. But spiritual things, the goods of reason, and things intellectual, which are far removed from the senses, they do not know as well. Because they understand and are always dealing with material things, but spiritual things are not so readily evident, it happens that men, for the most part, are plunged into sinful conduct.”

— Bartolomé de las Casas

Source: In Defense of the Indians (1548), p. 37

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Bartolomé de las Casas 21

Spanish Dominican friar, historian, and social reformer 1474–1566

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