I only wish that ordinary people had an unlimited capacity…
“I only wish that ordinary people had an unlimited capacity for doing harm; then they might have an unlimited power for doing good.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Suggests unlimited capacity for harm could be matched by unlimited capacity for good.
In simple terms: Unlimited harm could lead to unlimited good.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate good to match potential harm.
Themes
ethics
human nature
potential
Mood
philosophical
thought‑provoking
Type
ethical
theoretical
When to use this quote
- social policy
- personal morality
- legal systems
Key Concepts
capacity
dualism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance good and evil?
- What limits should be set on harmful capacity?
A Different Perspective
Assumes people can control harmful impulses.