Causes Quote by Andrew McCarthy
“The idea that we cause harm by doing what we perceive to be the right thing, that's another theme that interests me. Because most people don't intend to cause harm, they cause harm by doing the right thing - in their mind.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Guardian, “Moral Paradoxes in Everyday Life”, 2018
People often cause unintended harm while believing they are doing the right thing, revealing a gap between intention and impact.
In simple terms: Good intentions can still cause damage.
Key Takeaway
Check outcomes, not just intentions.
Themes
ethics
unintended consequences
intention vs outcome
human behavior
Mood
thoughtful
cautious
critical
Type
reflective
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Workplace decisions
- policy making
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
Moral psychology
cognitive bias
responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- When did your “right” action cause harm?
- How can you anticipate hidden impacts?
A Different Perspective
Intentions don’t guarantee positive results; unintended effects may arise.
![“Well the first time I performed, my mom was like how she is now when sees me on stage – all red, smiling from ear to ear. So I don’t want to mess up, [be]cause she’s smiling. Seeing my mom happy is kind of like an overwhelming feeling.” quote by Chris Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/477/chris-brown-1887_causes_well-the-first-time-i-performed-my-mom-w_4699.jpg)