Skip to content

Said Man Quote by Aldous Huxley

“For the good that I would,’” he quoted, “‘I do not; and the evil that I would not, that I do.’” “Who said that?” “The man who invented Christianity—St. Paul.” quote by Aldous Huxley
Download Open image
““For the good that I would,’” he quoted, “‘I do not; and the evil that I would not, that I do.’” “Who said that?” “The man who invented Christianity—St. Paul.””

Aldous Huxley

About This Quote

A paradoxical claim is quoted: the speaker says he does not do good he intends, but does do the evil he intends not, attributing this to the founder of Christianity, St. Paul.

In simple terms: Contradictory moral behavior linked to religious influence.

Key Takeaway

Self‑deception can mask ethical contradictions.

Themes

philosophy ethics religion paradox

Mood

skeptical provocative

Type

philosophical paradox critical commentary

When to use this quote

  • ethical debates in academia
  • literary analysis workshops
  • psychology seminars on self‑justification

Key Concepts

moral psychology cognitive dissonance

Practical Applications

  • use as a teaching case for moral reasoning
  • stimulate critical discussion on religious authority

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why do we attribute paradoxical statements to famous figures?
  • How does cognitive dissonance affect moral self‑assessment?
A Different Perspective

Attribution to St. Paul is historically inaccurate; the quote is likely apocryphal.

2.1 out of 5 (9 ratings)

More by Aldous Huxley

Explore all 1,291 Aldous Huxley quotes

More Said Man quotes

Browse all 75 Said Man quotes