I do not deny, but strongly affirm, the right of the State…
““I do not deny, but strongly affirm, the right of the State to interfere to cure a great evil. I say that in this case it would interfere to create a great evil; and I am not going to be turned from the discussion of that direct issue to bottomless botherations about Socialism and Individualism, or the relative advantages of always turning to the right and always turning to the left.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker argues that state intervention can prevent a serious harm, but also warns it may create another serious harm, urging focus on the specific issue rather than abstract ideology.
In simple terms: State action can stop one evil but may cause another; stay on topic.
Key Takeaway
We the specific harms of policy, not ideological extremes.
Themes
politics
ethics
state power
policy analysis
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
critical
When to use this quote
- legislative drafting
- public health crises
- environmental regulation
- security measures
Key Concepts
Utilitarianism
political philosophy
pragmatism
Questions to Reflect On
- What concrete harm are we trying to prevent?
- How can we balance state action with individual liberty?
A Different Perspective
Intervention may have unintended consequences that outweigh benefits.