I have a very simple morality: not to do good or evil to…
““I have a very simple morality: not to do good or evil to anyone. Not to do evil, because it seems only fair that others enjoy the same right I demand for myself – not to be disturbed – and also because I think that the world doesn’t need more than the natural evils it already has. All of us in this world are living on board a ship that is sailing from one unknown port to another, and we should treat each other with a traveller’s cordiality. Not to do good, because I don’t know what good is, nor even if I do it when I think I do. How do I know what evils I generate if I give a beggar money? How do I know what evils I produce if I teach or instruct? Not knowing, I refrain. And besides, I think that to help or clarify is, in a certain way, to commit the evil of interfering in the lives of others. Kindness depends on a whim of our mood, and we have no right to make others the victims of our whims, however humane or kind-hearted they may be. Good deeds are impositions; that’s why I categorically abhor them.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author argues that moral actions are uncertain and potentially harmful, so he prefers non‑interference, viewing kindness as an imposition that may cause unintended evil.
In simple terms: Moral uncertainty leads to avoiding actions that could cause harm.
Key Takeaway
Avoid imposing your will on others.
Themes
ethics
uncertainty
non‑interference
humanity
Mood
reflective
skeptical
Type
philosophical
critical
thought‑provoking
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- charitable acts
- teaching
- political decisions
Key Concepts
moral relativism
existentialism
free will
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it possible to act without influencing others?
- Can non‑interference be truly ethical?
A Different Perspective
Acts of kindness can unintentionally cause harm, challenging the notion of pure good.