A viler evil than to murder a man, is to sell him suicide…
““A viler evil than to murder a man, is to sell him suicide as an act of virtue. A viler evil than to throw a man into a sacrificial furnace, is to demand that he leap in, of his own will, and that he build the furnace, besides.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The worst injustice is forcing someone to choose death under the guise of moral duty, making them complicit in their own destruction.
In simple terms: Coercing suicide as virtue is the greatest evil.
Key Takeaway
Never force others into harmful choices.
Themes
ethics
freedom
coercion
morality
individualism
Mood
critical
serious
reflective
Type
ethical
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political debate
- legal policy
- personal relationships
- mental health counseling
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
autonomy
self-determination
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it ever justified to compel someone to act against their own survival?
- How does power corrupt moral judgments?
A Different Perspective
Such manipulation can be rationalized as noble, obscuring its cruelty.