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There are two classes of people in this world, those who…

“There are two classes of people in this world, those who sin, and those who are sinned against; if a man must belong to either, he had better belong to the first than to the second.” quote by Samuel Butler
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““There are two classes of people in this world, those who sin, and those who are sinned against; if a man must belong to either, he had better belong to the first than to the second.””

Samuel Butler

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People are either sinners or victims; choosing to be a sinner is preferable to being a victim because it preserves agency.

In simple terms: Better to be a sinner than a victim.

Key Takeaway

Embrace responsibility over passivity.

Themes

responsibility agency morality victimhood choice

Mood

reflective serious

Type

ethical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • personal decisions
  • legal contexts
  • ethical debates
  • conflict resolution

Key Concepts

free will ethical agency self-determination

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you prefer agency over victimhood?
  • How does this view affect judgments of blame?
A Different Perspective

Being a sinner may still cause harm to others.

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