An opinion, right or wrong, can never constitute a moral…
“An opinion, right or wrong, can never constitute a moral offense, nor be in itself a moral obligation. It may be mistaken; it may involve an absurdity, or a contradiction. It is a truth; or it is an error: it can never be a crime or a virtue.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Ideas can be right or wrong without being morally criminal or virtuous; truth and error are separate from moral judgment.
In simple terms: Opinions aren't crimes or virtues.
Judge ideas by truth, not morality.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- debates
- academic writing
- personal decision making
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Is truth always moral?
- Can a false belief be harmful?
An opinion may still cause harm despite being non‑criminal.