What is evil? What is - where does the evil come from that…
“What is evil? What is - where does the evil come from that lies behind someone like Saddam Hussein, or Radovan Karadzic, or General Claude Raymond in Haiti. As I say, I've tended to find these people - I mean, Saddam, I've never met or interviewed - but these other people to be rather disappointing. Their political goals were mundane. What they had working for them was opportunism, was very often cleverness and was ruthlessness.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Evil stems from ordinary motives like opportunism and ruthlessness, not supernatural forces, and is often hidden behind mundane political goals.
In simple terms: Evil is ordinary people with selfish, cruel aims.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and confront ordinary cruelty.
Themes
politics
morality
human nature
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- journalism
- policy analysis
- human rights advocacy
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
ethical theory
political psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What everyday structures enable cruelty?
- How can societies prevent ordinary people from becoming evil?
A Different Perspective
Focusing only on individual villains may ignore systemic causes.