The oldest and best known evil was ever more supportable…
“The oldest and best known evil was ever more supportable than one that was new and untried.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
New, untested ideas are often dismissed as evil, while familiar ev are more easily accepted, revealing a bias toward tradition.
In simple terms: People trust old evils more than new ideas, showing bias toward tradition.
Key Takeaway
Beware bias favoring familiar over novel.
Themes
tradition
bias
innovation
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- political policy
- technology adoption
- cultural change
- personal beliefs
Key Concepts
Cognitive bias
social conformity
Questions to Reflect On
- What familiar evils do we accept?
- How can we fairly evaluate new ideas?
A Different Perspective
New ideas can be beneficial despite being unfamiliar.