If you can do no good, at least do no harm.
“If you can do no good, at least do no harm.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
If good is impossible, avoid causing harm; a minimal ethical baseline.
In simple terms: Do no harm if you cannot help.
Practice harmlessness.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- daily interactions
- workplace decisions
- environmental impact
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What situations demand action over inaction?
- Can harmlessness be a passive stance?
Some argue that inaction can be harmful.