The lesser of two evils, or the greater good. Get a good…
““The lesser of two evils, or the greater good. Get a good man to utter either of those phrases, and there is no one more eager to begin perpetrating evil.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Good people can justify evil by labeling it as necessary, showing how language can mask moral responsibility.
In simple terms: Good people may hide evil behind noble words.
Key Takeaway
Beware of justifications that hide harm.
Themes
morality
language
power
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- political decisions
- corporate policies
- personal choices
Key Concepts
ethical relativism
political rhetoric
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- When does “greater good” become excuse for harm?
- Who decides what is “lesser”?