Skip to content

Politically, the weakness of the argument has always been…

“Politically, the weakness of the argument has always been that those who choose the lesser evil forget very quickly that they chose evil.” quote by Hannah Arendt
Download Open image
“Politically, the weakness of the argument has always been that those who choose the lesser evil forget very quickly that they chose evil.”

Hannah Arendt

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 warns that choosing a lesser evil still entails embracing evil, and people quickly forget their moral compromise.

In simple terms: Choosing a lesser evil still means choosing evil.

Key Takeaway

Remember the moral cost of compromise.

Themes

ethics politics decision making

Mood

critical cautious

Type

ethical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • policy making
  • voting
  • activism
  • leadership

Key Concepts

moral philosophy cognitive bias political theory

Questions to Reflect On

  • What are the long‑term effects of normalizing lesser evils?
  • Can a lesser evil ever be justified?
A Different Perspective

It may ignore situations where all options are harmful.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Hannah Arendt

Explore all 405 Hannah Arendt quotes

More Argument quotes

Browse all 3,479 Argument quotes