Do we say that one must never willingly do wrong, or does…
““Do we say that one must never willingly do wrong, or does it depend upon the circumstances? Is it true, as we have often agreed before, that there is no sense in which wrongdoing is good or honourable? Or have we jettisoned all our former convictions in these last few days? Can you and I at our age, Crito, have spent all these years in serious discussions without realizing that we were no better than a pair of children? Surely the truth is just what we have always said. Whatever the popular view is, and whether the alternative in pleasanter than the present one or even harder to bear, the fact remains that to do wrong is in every sense bad and dishonourable for the person who does it.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Wrongdoing is inherently bad regardless of context; moral integrity cannot be compromised for convenience.
In simple terms: Wrong is always wrong.
Key Takeaway
Uphold integrity despite pressure.
Themes
ethics
integrity
philosophy
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- personal decisions
- legal judgments
- educational settings
Key Concepts
moral absolutism
virtue ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- Is any wrongdoing ever justified?
- How do we balance personal gain against moral duty?
A Different Perspective
Some argue situational ethics may justify certain actions, but this risks eroding universal moral standards.