A consciousness of rectitude can be a terrible thing, and…
““A consciousness of rectitude can be a terrible thing, and in those days I didn’t just think that I was right: I thought that “we” (our group of International Socialists in particular) were being damn well proved right. If you have never yourself had the experience of feeling that you are yoked to the great steam engine of history, then allow me to inform you that the conviction is a very intoxicating one.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A belief in collective moral superiority can become intoxicating, blinding one to dissent.
In simple terms: Group righteousness can be intoxicating.
Key Takeaway
Question your convictions.
Themes
politics
ideology
groupthink
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- activism
- political organizing
- academic debate
- social movements
Key Concepts
moral certainty
psychology of belief
Questions to Reflect On
- When does confidence become arrogance?
- How to balance conviction with humility?
A Different Perspective
Such certainty can suppress critical thinking.