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The submission which you demand of yourself to the general…

“The submission which you demand of yourself to the general fact of evil in the world, your apparent acquiescence in it, is here nothing but the conviction that evil at large is none of your business until your business with your private particular evils is liquidated and settled up.” quote by William James
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““The submission which you demand of yourself to the general fact of evil in the world, your apparent acquiescence in it, is here nothing but the conviction that evil at large is none of your business until your business with your private particular evils is liquidated and settled up.””

William James

About This Quote

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

We often ignore broader evil, focusing only on personal problems, believing larger wrongdoing isn’t our concern until our own issues are resolved.

In simple terms: People tend to ignore big problems until their own are fixed.

Key Takeaway

Consider larger issues even when personal troubles dominate.

Themes

responsibility ethics individualism

Mood

reflective serious

Type

ethical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • personal crisis
  • social activism
  • community decision
  • ethical dilemmas

Key Concepts

moral philosophy psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance personal struggles with societal responsibilities?
  • What prevents you from addressing larger injustices?
A Different Perspective

Neglecting systemic evil can perpetuate harm.

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