Milan Kundera, in "The Unbearable Lightness of Being," emphasizes the essence of human goodness and morality as being revealed through the treatment of those who lack power. He suggests that true moral integrity is most evident when individuals interact with those who are vulnerable or at their mercy, highlighting a deep ethical responsibility towards weaker beings.

The quote reflects on the idea that the measure of humanity lies in how one behaves towards the powerless, specifically focusing on animals. Kundera argues that this aspect of morality is often overlooked, suggesting that society's treatment of those who cannot defend themselves signifies the true nature of human goodness.