thus it is that egoists have always the last word; having…
““thus it is that egoists have always the last word; having posited at the start that their resolution is unshakeable, the more susceptible the feeling to which one appeals in them to make them abandon their resolution, the more reprehensible they find, not themselves who resist that appeal, but those who put them under the necessity of resisting it, so that their own harshness may be carried to the utmost degree of cruelty without having any effect in their eyes but to aggravate the culpability of the person who is so indelicate as to be hurt, to be in the right, and to cause them thus treacherously the pain of acting against their natural instinct of pity.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Egoists cling to their resolutions, yet those who force them to resist become cruel, shifting blame onto the victim.
In simple terms: Egoists resist resolution; others who pressure them become cruel.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and avoid imposing harsh moral tests on others.
Themes
ethics
ego
psychology
power
cruelty
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- leadership
- conflict resolution
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
moral responsibility
psychological manipulation
self‑control
Questions to Reflect On
- When does moral pressure become cruelty?
- How can empathy replace coercion?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify complex motivations.