The State not seldom tolerates a comparatively great evil…
“The State not seldom tolerates a comparatively great evil to keep out millions of lesser ills and inconveniences which otherwise would be inevitable and without remedy.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Societies often accept a major wrongdoing to avoid many smaller problems, believing it’s the lesser evil.
In simple terms: Big evils are tolerated to prevent many small issues.
Key Takeaway
Weigh trade‑offs carefully.
Themes
ethics
politics
pragmatism
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- public health decisions
- legal reforms
Key Concepts
utilitarianism
moral compromise
Questions to Reflect On
- Is the lesser evil truly less harmful?
- When does compromise become corruption?
A Different Perspective
Accepting a great evil may erode moral standards over time.