Bad idea Quote by Anonymous
““Bad ideas sometimes begin with a good impulse. The “loss of the sense of sin” arises, I believe, from a misguided notion of tolerance. Democracies thrive because of a neighborly forbearance of differences of opinion. Tolerance does not, however, require us to abandon our convictions or deny the existence of moral standards. Tolerance does not demand that we call “good” what is evil or “evil” what is good. Nor does forgiveness of an action mean that we approve the action; in fact, we can only forgive something that is a genuine offense.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Unknown, possibly a lecture on tolerance and democracy
Good intentions can mask harmful ideas; tolerance means respecting opinions without abandoning moral standards or endorsing evil.
In simple terms: Tolerance respects differences without endorsing wrongdoing.
Key Takeaway
Maintain convictions while respecting others.
Themes
tolerance
morality
democracy
forgiveness
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- political debate
- interfaith dialogue
- community conflict resolution
Key Concepts
ethical relativism
civil discourse
moral standards
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance respect for differing views with firm moral convictions?
- When should tolerance give way to condemnation?
A Different Perspective
Tolerance may be exploited to justify harmful behavior.
