Not every action or emotion however admits of the…
“Not every action or emotion however admits of the observance of a due mean. Indeed the very names of some directly imply evil, for instance malice, shamelessness, envy, and, of actions, adultery, theft, murder. All these and similar actions and feelings are blamed as being bad in themselves; it is not the excess or deficiency of them that we blame. It is impossible therefore ever to go right in regard to them - one must always be wrong.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Moral judgments label actions and emotions as inherently bad, ignoring context, making absolute judgments impossible.
In simple terms: Moral labels oversimplify complex actions.
Key Takeaway
Recognize nuance in ethical evaluations.
Themes
ethics
morality
human behavior
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- legal judgments
- personal decisions
- social policy
- education
Key Concepts
moral absolutism
contextual ethics
philosophical analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it appropriate to label an action bad?
- How can context change moral assessment?
A Different Perspective
Absolute judgments can ignore cultural differences.