Judge not, that ye be not judge"... is an abdication of…
“Judge not, that ye be not judge"... is an abdication of moral responsibility: it is a moral blank check one gives to others in exchange for a moral blank check one expects for oneself. There is no escape from the fact that men have to make choices; so long as men have to make choices, there is no escape from moral values; so long as moral values are at stake, no moral neutrality is possible. To abstain from condemning a torturer, is to become an accesory to the torture and murder of his victims. The moral principle to adopt... is: "Judge, and be prepared to be judged.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Moral neutrality is impossible; avoiding judgment makes one complicit in wrongdoing.
In simple terms: You cannot stay neutral on moral issues.
Key Takeaway
Take responsibility for your moral choices.
Themes
ethics
responsibility
complicity
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political debate
- legal testimony
- personal relationships
- social activism
Key Concepts
moral agency
judgment
accomplice liability
Questions to Reflect On
- What moral choices are you avoiding?
- How does silence affect victims?
A Different Perspective
Neutrality can lead to passive endorsement of harm.