Man is naturally self-centered and he is inclined to…
“Man is naturally self-centered and he is inclined to regard expediency as the supreme standard for what is right and wrong. However, we must not convert an inclination into an axiom that just as man's perceptions cannot operate outside time and space, so his motivations cannot operate outside expediency; that man can never transcend his own self. The most fatal trap into which thinking may fall is the equation of existence and expediency.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Heschel warns that treating expediency as the ultimate moral guide traps humanity in self‑interest, ignoring deeper ethical standards.
In simple terms: Expediency alone leads to moral blindness.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize ethical principles over convenience.
Themes
ethics
human nature
expediency
philosophy
self‑interest
Mood
thought‑provoking
critical
instructive
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- policy formation
- personal dilemmas
- social justice initiatives
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
moral relativism
human limitation
ethical decision‑making
Questions to Reflect On
- What ethical frameworks can counteract expediency?
- How do we recognize when convenience overrides principle?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on expediency can justify harmful actions.