Man and his deed are two distinct things. Whereas a good…
“Man and his deed are two distinct things. Whereas a good deed should call forth approbation and a wicked deed dis-approbation, the doer of the deed, whether good or wicked always deserves respect or pity as the case may be. Hate the sin and not the sinner is a precept which though easy enough to understand is rarely practised, and that is why the poison of hatred spreads in the world.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Respect the person, not just their actions; hate the act, not the actor.
In simple terms: Judge deeds, not people.
Key Takeaway
Separate sin from sinner.
Themes
compassion
justice
forgiveness
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- conflict resolution
- justice reform
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
ethical behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we practice compassion toward wrongdoers?
- What limits exist in separating sin from sinner?
A Different Perspective
People often conflate actions with identity.