Where two motives, neither of them perfectly justifiable…
“Where two motives, neither of them perfectly justifiable, may be assigned, the worst has the chance of being preferred.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
When choices are flawed, the least ethical option can become the most attractive.
In simple terms: Bad choices can seem best when all options are bad.
Beware of settling for the lesser evil.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political debates
- business negotiations
- personal dilemmas
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you assess options when none seem right?
- What safeguards prevent choosing the worst?
The quote assumes rational evaluation, ignoring emotional bias.