Good and Evil are names that signify our appetites and…
“Good and Evil are names that signify our appetites and aversions, which in different tempers, customs, and doctrines of men, are different: And diverse men differ not only in their judgment, on the senses of what is pleasant and unpleasant to the taste, smell, hearing, touch, and sight, but also of what is conformable, or disagreeable to Reason, in the actions of the common life. Nay, the same man, in diverse times, differs from himself, and one time praiseth, that is, calleth Good, what another time he dispraiseth, and calleth Evil.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human judgments of good and evil are shaped by personal desires, senses, and cultural norms, causing them to shift over time and context.
In simple terms: Good and evil depend on personal and cultural preferences.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the fluidity of moral judgments.
Themes
morality
relativism
human nature
culture
perception
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- personal decisions
- legal judgments
- cross‑cultural negotiations
- self‑reflection
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
subjectivity
ethical relativism
sensory experience
Questions to Reflect On
- How do your senses influence your moral choices?
- Can societies find common ground despite differing judgments?
A Different Perspective
Moral labels can be unstable and conflict‑prone.