--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Thus, every entity, even if it is a…" description: "\"“Thus, every entity, even if it is a defective one, in so far as it is an entity, is good. In so far as it is defective, it is evil.”\" — Augustine of H..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/219/augustine-of-hippo-2589_being_thus-every-entity-even-if-it-is-a-defect_170658.jpg" --- # Thus, every entity, even if it is a defective one, in so… ![“Thus, every entity, even if it is a defective one, in so far as it is an entity, is good. In so far as it is defective, it is evil.” quote by Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/219/augustine-of-hippo-2589_being_thus-every-entity-even-if-it-is-a-defect_170658.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/219/augustine-of-hippo-2589_being_thus-every-entity-even-if-it-is-a-defect_170658.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/219/augustine-of-hippo-2589_being_thus-every-entity-even-if-it-is-a-defect_170658.jpg) > ““Thus, every entity, even if it is a defective one, in so far as it is an entity, is good. In so far as it is defective, it is evil.”” [Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. All beings have intrinsic value; their imperfections make them harmful, but their existence remains good. **In simple terms:** Every entity is good, but defects make it harmful. Key Takeaway Recognize inherent worth despite flaws. Themes value imperfection duality Mood thoughtful reflective Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - personal growth - ethical debates - spiritual reflection Key Concepts ontology ethics theology Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance appreciation of existence with its flaws? - Can something be both good and evil? A Different Perspective Even defective entities can cause real damage. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Defective Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defective-evil-1848750/) [Entity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entity/) [Entity Defective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entity-defective-1848752/) [Entity Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entity-good-1848751/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) ## Related quotes > [The important thing is moral choice. Evil has to exist along with good, in order that moral choice may operate. Life is sustained by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-burgess/the-important-thing-is-moral-choice-evil-has-to-exist-along-with-good/) [Anthony Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-burgess/) > [“So it falls out that in this world, in evil days like these, the Church walks onward like a wayfarer stricken by the world's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/so-it-falls-out-that-in-this-world-in-evil-days-like-these-the-church/) [Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) > [Evil is relative - and what I mean by that is that our villains are as complex, as deep and as compelling as any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/evil-is-relative-and-what-i-mean-by-that-is-that-our-villains-are-as/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [The day came. The wrath descended. Sin, guilt, and retribution? The manic psychoses of those entities we referred to as states, institutions, systems -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/the-day-came-the-wrath-descended-sin-guilt-and-retribution-the-manic/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [The state is the great fictitious entity by which everyone seeks to live at the expense of everyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/the-state-is-the-great-fictitious-entity-by-which-everyone-seeks-to/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [I have often noticed that the two nuclear powers on the Indian subcontinent, India and Pakistan, attribute to Kashmiris an inferior intellect, a lineage,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nyla-ali-khan/i-have-often-noticed-that-the-two-nuclear-powers-on-the-indian/) [Nyla Ali Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nyla-ali-khan/) > [The earth itself assures us it is a living entity. Deep below surface one can hear its slow pulse, feel its vibrant rhythm. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-waters/the-earth-itself-assures-us-it-is-a-living-entity-deep-below-surface/) [Frank Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-waters/) > [Fasting is not bodily hunger but bodily elevation and purity. It is not a body that hungers and longs for food, but a body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-shenouda-iii-of-alexandria/fasting-is-not-bodily-hunger-but-bodily-elevation-and-purity-it-is/) [Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-shenouda-iii-of-alexandria/) > [We've established the most enormous medical entity ever conceived... and people are sicker than ever. We cure nothing! We heal nothing!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-chayefsky/we-ve-established-the-most-enormous-medical-entity-ever-conceived-and/) [Paddy Chayefsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-chayefsky/) > [The body is thus not simply an 'entity', but is experienced as a practical mode of coping with external situations and events.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-giddens/the-body-is-thus-not-simply-an-entity-but-is-experienced-as-a/) [Anthony Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-giddens/) > [Writers and intellectuals have a duty to humanity. It is to insist that the human entity remains the primary asset in overall development; thus,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wole-soyinka/writers-and-intellectuals-have-a-duty-to-humanity-it-is-to-insist/) [Wole Soyinka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wole-soyinka/) > [The goal of the Creator is for each entity to make a conscious choice to again seek Oneness, out of our own free will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wilcock/the-goal-of-the-creator-is-for-each-entity-to-make-a-conscious-choice/) [David Wilcock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wilcock/) > [The future and the past are equally meaningless because they are nebulous entities, times that do not exist, containing events which have no echo…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-lebbon/the-future-and-the-past-are-equally-meaningless-because-they-are/) [Tim Lebbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-lebbon/) > [It is the incongruous thing in my entire life, this isolation.. ... My work requires it - but I myself have no need or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marsden-hartley/it-is-the-incongruous-thing-in-my-entire-life-this-isolation-my-work/) [Marsden Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marsden-hartley/) > [A lot of indigenous cultures are deeply involved in working with ancestor spirits, elemental spirits, and demons. Many of these cultures feel that, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-pinchbeck/a-lot-of-indigenous-cultures-are-deeply-involved-in-working-with/) [Daniel Pinchbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-pinchbeck/) ## More by Augustine of Hippo > [“We are inflamed, by Thy Gift we are kindled; and are carried upwards; we glow inwardly, and go forwards. We ascend Thy ways that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/we-are-inflamed-by-thy-gift-we-are-kindled-and-are-carried-upwards-we/) [Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) > [“Faith seeks, understanding finds. This is why the prophet says, ‘Unless you believe, you will not understand”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/faith-seeks-understanding-finds-this-is-why-the-prophet-says-unless/) [Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) > [“Time takes no holiday. It does not roll idly by, but through our senses works its own wonders in the mind. Time came and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/time-takes-no-holiday-it-does-not-roll-idly-by-but-through-our-senses/) [Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) > [“So it falls out that in this world, in evil days like these, the Church walks onward like a wayfarer stricken by the world's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/so-it-falls-out-that-in-this-world-in-evil-days-like-these-the-church/) [Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) > [“Pride is the beginning of sin. And what is pride but the craving for undue exaltation? And this is undue exaltation - when the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/pride-is-the-beginning-of-sin-and-what-is-pride-but-the-craving-for/) [Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) > [“Variation on the middle sentence: A thing is not necessarily false because it is badly expressed, nor true because it is expressed magnificently.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/variation-on-the-middle-sentence-a-thing-is-not-necessarily-false/) [Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) > [“Run to and fro everywhere, holy fires, beautiful fires; for you are the light of the world, nor are you put under a bushel.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/run-to-and-fro-everywhere-holy-fires-beautiful-fires-for-you-are-the/) [Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) > [“Let Him do what pleases Him; let Him disclose Himself when it pleases Him! I now commit myself wholly to His care and clemency.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/let-him-do-what-pleases-him-let-him-disclose-himself-when-it-pleases/) [Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) > [“and even now we labor in our residual gloom, until in your only Son we become your righteousness; for that righteousness is like God's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/and-even-now-we-labor-in-our-residual-gloom-until-in-your-only-son-we/) [Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) > [“But unscrupulous ambition has nothing to work upon, save in a nation corrupted by avarice and luxury. Moreover, a people becomes avaricious and luxurious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/but-unscrupulous-ambition-has-nothing-to-work-upon-save-in-a-nation/) [Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) > [“Faith is to believe what we do not see; and the reward of the faith is to see what we believe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/faith-is-to-believe-what-we-do-not-see-and-the-reward-of-the-faith-is/) [Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) > [“For instantly, as the sentence ended, there was infused in my heart something like the light of full certainty and all the gloom of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/for-instantly-as-the-sentence-ended-there-was-infused-in-my-heart/) [Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) > [“And yet, will we ever come to an end of discussion and talk if we think we must always reply to replies? For replies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/and-yet-will-we-ever-come-to-an-end-of-discussion-and-talk-if-we/) [Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) > [“If, on the contrary, they hear from you about themselves, they will be in no position to say, “The Lord is lying.” Is hearing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/if-on-the-contrary-they-hear-from-you-about-themselves-they-will-be/) [Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) > [“I do acknowledge You, Lord of heaven and earth. I do praise You for assembling the pieces of my being and for the infancy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/i-do-acknowledge-you-lord-of-heaven-and-earth-i-do-praise-you-for/) [Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) [Explore all 153 Augustine of Hippo quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) ## More Being quotes > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/) [Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [I love to fish. I love the peacefulness of being around the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evonne-goolagong-cawley/i-love-to-fish-i-love-the-peacefulness-of-being-around-the-water/) [Evonne Goolagong Cawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evonne-goolagong-cawley/) > [When you're in your twenties and starting out, the problem is that you care about being cool. Being older, I can care less about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-righton/when-you-re-in-your-twenties-and-starting-out-the-problem-is-that-you/) [James Righton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-righton/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [Being a new mother is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedra-parks/being-a-new-mother-is-a-blessing/) [Phaedra Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedra-parks/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [We should not live in fear, we should all enjoy being able to express our views freely and openly, challenge each other on issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/we-should-not-live-in-fear-we-should-all-enjoy-being-able-to-express/) [Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/) [Browse all 18,139 Being quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Thus, every entity, even if it is a defective one, in so far as it is an entity, is good. In so far as it is defective, it is evil.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Augustine of Hippo" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/thus-every-entity-even-if-it-is-a-defective-one-in-so-far-as-it-is-an/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Being" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/thus-every-entity-even-if-it-is-a-defective-one-in-so-far-as-it-is-an/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/219/augustine-of-hippo-2589_being_thus-every-entity-even-if-it-is-a-defect_170658.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/219/augustine-of-hippo-2589_being_thus-every-entity-even-if-it-is-a-defect_170658.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/219/augustine-of-hippo-2589_being_thus-every-entity-even-if-it-is-a-defect_170658.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Thus, every entity, even if it is a defective one, in so far as it is an entity, is good. In so far as it is…” — Augustine of Hippo", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Augustine of Hippo", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Thus, every entity, even if it...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/thus-every-entity-even-if-it-is-a-defective-one-in-so-far-as-it-is-an/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/thus-every-entity-even-if-it-is-a-defective-one-in-so-far-as-it-is-an/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```