There are two ways of renouncing the devil,” he said; “and…
““There are two ways of renouncing the devil,” he said; “and the difference is perhaps the deepest chasm in modern religion. One is to have a horror of him because he is so far off; and the other to have it because he is so near. And no virtue and vice are so much divided as those two virtues.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote contrasts distant fear of evil with intimate fear, showing both can split virtue and vice.
In simple terms: Fear of evil can be distant or close, affecting moral choices.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how proximity to wrongdoing shapes your ethics.
Themes
morality
fear
virtue
vice
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- theological debate
- literary analysis
- counseling
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
dualism
psychology
ethical tension
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you fear evil more when it feels remote or immediate?
- How does this fear influence your moral decisions?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on distance may ignore systemic causes of evil.