If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad…
““If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. A world of automata--of creatures that worked like machines--would hardly be worth creating. The happiness which God designs for His higher creatures is the happiness of being freely, voluntarily united to Him and to each other in an ecstasy of love and delight compared with which the most rapturous love between a man and a woman on this earth is mere milk and water. And for that they must be free.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Free will allows both good and evil; it is essential for love, joy, and meaningful existence, making a world of automatons undesirable.
In simple terms: Freedom enables love and joy, but also evil.
Key Takeaway
Embrace freedom responsibly.
Themes
free will
good vs evil
love
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- ethical decision making
- personal relationships
- spiritual growth
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
theodicy
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities come with freedom?
- How does free will shape love?
A Different Perspective
Freedom can lead to suffering without guidance.