Where the good begins.- Where the poor power of the eye…
“Where the good begins.- Where the poor power of the eye can no longer see the evil impulse as such because it has become too subtle, man posits the realm of goodness; and the feeling that we have now entered the realm of goodness excites all those impulses which had been threatened and limited by the evil impulses, like the feeling of security, of comfort, of benevolence. Hence, the duller the eye, the more extensive the good. Hence the eternal cheerfulness of the common people and of children. Hence the gloominess and grief - akin to a bad conscience - of the great thinkers.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
When we think we have entered a realm of pure goodness, we may inadvertently suppress necessary darker impulses, leading to complacency.
In simple terms: Goodness can dull awareness of deeper issues.
Key Takeaway
Balance good with critical awareness.
Themes
morality
perception
balance
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- leadership
- education
- policy making
- personal ethics
Key Concepts
ethical dualism
psychology of virtue
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden challenges does complacent goodness hide?
- How can we integrate critical thought without losing optimism?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on positivity may ignore essential critiques.