It is better to kill one hundred innocents than to let one…
“It is better to kill one hundred innocents than to let one guilty person go.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Prioritizing collective safety over individual innocence can justify extreme actions against many to protect a perceived greater good.
In simple terms: Choosing safety for many over one innocent.
Key Takeaway
Weigh collective risk versus individual rights.
Themes
ethics
politics
violence
justice
collective security
Mood
tense
critical
reflective
Type
ethical
political
controversial
When to use this quote
- war decision making
- law enforcement
- policy drafting
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
utilitarianism
moral calculus
revolutionary ideology
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it ever just to sacrifice the innocent for the guilty?
- How does this view affect rule of law?
A Different Perspective
Such calculus can erode moral standards and lead to abuse of power.