Every human being makes mistakes and does things they’re…
““Every human being makes mistakes and does things they’re not proud of. They can be everyday, or they can be catastrophic. And the unfortunate truth of being human is that we all have moments of indifference to other people’s suffering. To me, that’s the central thing that allows crime to happen: indifference to other people’s suffering. If you’re stealing from someone, if you’re hurting them physically, if you’re selling them a product that you know will hurt them—the thing that allows a person to do that is that they somehow convince themselves that that’s not relevant to them. We all do things that we’re not proud of, even though they might not have as terrible consequences.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People often ignore others’ pain, which makes harmful actions possible.
In simple terms: Indifference lets wrongdoing happen.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and act against indifference.
Themes
ethics
responsibility
empathy
crime
human nature
Mood
reflective
concerned
serious
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- workplace
- policy making
- community activism
Key Concepts
moral psychology
social cognition
justice
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you notice when you’re indifferent?
- What steps can you take to stay empathetic?
A Different Perspective
Indifference can be a rationalization, not just a feeling.