In this world laws are written for the lofty aim of "the…
“In this world laws are written for the lofty aim of "the common good" and then acted out in life on the basis of the common greed. In this world irrationality clings to man like his shadow so that the right things get done for the wrong reasons - afterwards, we dredge up the right reasons for justification. It is a world not of angels but of angles, where men speak of moral principles but act on power principles; a world where we are always moral and our enemies always immoral; a world where "reconciliation" means that when one side gets the power and the other side gets reconciled to it.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Power structures often masquerade as moral ideals, while self‑interest drives actions and justifications are retrofitted after the fact.
In simple terms: People hide selfish motives behind moral language.
Key Takeaway
Question motives, not just words.
Themes
politics
ethics
power
hypocrisy
reconciliation
Mood
cynical
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Community meetings
- policy debates
- media analysis
- activist strategy
- leadership training
Key Concepts
Moral relativism
social critique
political realism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate genuine moral action from power‑driven rhetoric?
- What checks can prevent moral justification of self‑interest?
A Different Perspective
Idealistic language can obscure harmful outcomes if not scrutinized.