Who said “People who treat other people as less than human must not be surprised when the bread…”?

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James Baldwin. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceNo Name in the Street (1972)

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“People who treat other people as less than human must not be surprised when the bread they have cast on the waters comes floating back to them, poisoned.”
— James Baldwin
VerifiedNo Name in the Street (1972) · evidenceAbuse

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: No Name in the Street (1972).

APA

Baldwin, J. (n.d.). People who treat other people as less than human must not be surprised when the bread they have cast on the waters comes floating back to them, poisoned. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/215-people-who-treat-other-people-as-less-than/

MLA

Baldwin, James. “People who treat other people as less than human must not be surprised when the bread they have cast on the waters comes floating back to them, poisoned.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/215-people-who-treat-other-people-as-less-than/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Baldwin, James. “People who treat other people as less than human must not be surprised when the bread they have cast on the waters comes floating back to them, poisoned.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/215-people-who-treat-other-people-as-less-than/.

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