Actions are held to be good or bad, not on their own…
“Actions are held to be good or bad, not on their own merits, but according to who does them. There is almost no kind of outrage-torture, imprisonment without trial, assassination, the bombing of civilians-which does not change its moral color when it is committed by 'our' side. The nationalist not only does not disapprove of atrocities committed by his own side, he has a remarkable capacity for not even hearing about them.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Morality of actions is judged by the actor, not the act itself, allowing denial of atrocities.
In simple terms: People judge deeds by who does them, not the deed alone.
Key Takeaway
Recognize bias in moral judgments.
Themes
ethics
politics
bias
Mood
critical
serious
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- media critique
- human rights advocacy
- education
Key Concepts
moral relativism
nationalism
cognitive dissonance
Questions to Reflect On
- How does identity shape moral perception?
- Can we develop objective ethical criteria?
A Different Perspective
Overgeneralizing can obscure universal moral standards.