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I intend to judge things for myself; to judge wrongly, I…

“I intend to judge things for myself; to judge wrongly, I think, is more honorable than not to judge at all.” quote by Henry James
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“I intend to judge things for myself; to judge wrongly, I think, is more honorable than not to judge at all.”

Henry James

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Judgment is seen as a moral act; making a wrong judgment is sometimes more respectable than avoiding judgment entirely.

In simple terms: Choosing to judge, even wrongly, can be more honorable than not judging.

Key Takeaway

Don’t shy from making decisions.

Themes

ethics decision‑making honor

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

  • career choices
  • personal dilemmas
  • social interactions

Key Concepts

moral philosophy existentialism

Questions to Reflect On

  • When is it better to refrain from judgment?
  • What does “honorable” truly mean?
A Different Perspective

Risk of unjust decisions harming others.

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