Character Quote by A.W. Tozer
““As water cannot rise higher than its source, so the moral quality in an act can never be higher than the motive that inspires it. For this reason no act that arises from an evil motive can be good, even though some good may appear to come out of it. Every deed done out of anger or spite, for instance, will be found at last to have been done for the enemy and against the kingdom of God.””
About This Quote
Moral quality of an action is limited by its underlying motive; evil motives cannot produce truly good deeds, even if outcomes appear beneficial.
In simple terms: Good deeds stem from good motives; evil motives taint actions.
Key Takeaway
Intent determines moral value, not just results.
Themes
ethics
motivation
morality
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
philosophical
didactic
When to use this quote
- evaluating a charitable act with hidden agenda
- judging a political decision driven by personal gain
- teaching ethics in a classroom
Key Concepts
intentionalism
moral philosophy
Practical Applications
- reflect on personal motives before acting
- assess both intent and outcome in moral judgments
Questions to Reflect On
- Can a harmful motive ever be justified by a beneficial result?
- How do we discern hidden motives in complex situations?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that positive outcomes can outweigh flawed motives in certain contexts.
![“[Sadly] the first thing we tell our young converts, the babes in Christ, is, 'Here is a handful of tracts- now get out and get busy!” quote by A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c60/a-w-tozer-1151_quote_sadly-the-first-thing-we-tell-our-young_66292.jpg)
