I need help with Stevenson

[serhanbener]

" The existence of a man is so small a thing to take, so mighty a thing to employ"

What is the meaning of this proverb?

[togre]

It's technically not a proverb but a line from his short story Adventures of the Hansom Cabs.

The speaker had just snuff out the life of the man who murdered his brother and is mulling things over. He's saying It is easier to destroy than to build. It is easier to take a life than to live that life in a constructive way.

He recognizes however just killing the murderer was, it didn't change or restore any of what was lost.

I haven't read the entire story. I am not sure if how I feel (or what I think) about what Stevenson is saying, but I think the above is the gist of the words.

[serhanbener]

Many Thanks.