What was it with my worthy predecessors? Both Hobbes (1588-1679) in his Leviathan and before him Plautus (c. 254-184 B.C.) in his Asinaria went for the poor wolf, as though it was the worst beast they could come up with. Was it blindness? Dearth of historical perspective? Sheer folly? Or lack of real courage? At any rate, there can be hardly any question any longer about the worst beast of all. Humans beware of yourselves: Homo homini homo.

Addendum (December 18, 2019)

My goodness, it is such a joy to come across this piece on one of my uncharted journeys through my writings. It hits the old nail on the head, as it were. And this is the first piece of writing that points the finger on the one and only horror of the world in which we live: the human species. Years later, I gave it a poetic twist, but here it is in all its glory (“Hoc maxime verum est,” November 1, 2014). Indeed, humans beware of yourselves. There is no greater danger facing life on earth than ourselves, and it is high time for everyone to get the message. Or else. Alas, my optimism surfaces again! As though anyone but myself will ever come across this piece among pieces…