---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: \"Who are we to say what is right and what…"
description: "\"\"Who are we to say what is right and what is wrong?\" is the common refrain under the doctrine of pure pluralism. Clearly, society cannot long survive i..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adc/benjamin-hart-51339_christian_who-are-we-to-say-what-is-right-and-what_2848643.jpg"
---

#  "Who are we to say what is right and what is wrong?" is…

![“&quot;Who are we to say what is right and what is wrong?&quot; is the common refrain under the doctrine of pure pluralism. Clearly, society cannot long survive if this principle is pushed to its logical conclusion and everyone is free to write his own laws.” quote by Benjamin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adc/benjamin-hart-51339_christian_who-are-we-to-say-what-is-right-and-what_2848643.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adc/benjamin-hart-51339_christian_who-are-we-to-say-what-is-right-and-what_2848643.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adc/benjamin-hart-51339_christian_who-are-we-to-say-what-is-right-and-what_2848643.jpg)

> “"Who are we to say what is right and what is wrong?" is the common refrain under the doctrine of pure pluralism. Clearly, society cannot long survive if this principle is pushed to its logical conclusion and everyone is free to write his own laws.”

[Benjamin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hart/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Unrestricted moral relativism leads to chaos because without shared standards society cannot function.

**In simple terms:** Too much freedom to define right and wrong breaks social order.

Key Takeaway

Balance individual liberty with common ethical norms.

Themes

ethics society relativism law order

Mood

concerned serious

Type

philosophical political

When to use this quote

- legislative debates
- community decision making
- conflict resolution
- public policy
- education

Key Concepts

moral philosophy social contract political theory

Questions to Reflect On

- How can societies protect minority rights while respecting diverse values?
- What limits should be placed on moral relativism?

A Different Perspective

If everyone writes their own laws, enforcement becomes impossible.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Conclusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conclusion/) [Doctrine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctrine/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Pluralism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pluralism/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/)

## Related quotes

> [A society based on Christian principles provides for pluralism, but with enough restrictions to prevent civilization from degenerating into chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hart/a-society-based-on-christian-principles-provides-for-pluralism-but/)

[Benjamin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hart/)

> [Proponents of so-called pluralism feel compelled to ban religious considerations from public discourse because they know, instinctively if not intellectually, that their faith is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hart/proponents-of-so-called-pluralism-feel-compelled-to-ban-religious/)

[Benjamin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hart/)

> [Say my name slowy,Say my name right, Cause baby you'll be screamin it by the end of the night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/say-my-name-slowy-say-my-name-right-cause-baby-you-ll-be-screamin-it/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Whether you say you can or you can't you're right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rye/whether-you-say-you-can-or-you-can-t-you-re-right/)

Rye

> [At a time when political correctness is valued over honesty I would also like to say, 'Right on!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/at-a-time-when-political-correctness-is-valued-over-honesty-i-would/)

[Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/)

> [“I tried to think of the right thing to say, but sometimes the right thing to say is nothing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-david-hutchinson/i-tried-to-think-of-the-right-thing-to-say-but-sometimes-the-right/)

[Shaun David Hutchinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-david-hutchinson/)

> [Listen how they say your name. If they can't say that right, there's no way they're going to know how to treat you proper,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-dove/listen-how-they-say-your-name-if-they-can-t-say-that-right-there-s-no/)

[Rita Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-dove/)

> [The bottom line in all of this seems to say, there's no right and wrong way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/offspring/the-bottom-line-in-all-of-this-seems-to-say-there-s-no-right-and/)

Offspring

> [Whether you say you can't or you can, you're right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/whether-you-say-you-can-t-or-you-can-you-re-right/)

[Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/)

> [“Everything I say is right. "Everything I say is wrong. There are many conflicting opinions in this industry. Don't take one person's word as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-russell/everything-i-say-is-right-everything-i-say-is-wrong-there-are-many/)

[Paul Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-russell/)

> [As an actor, you're trained to do the right thing, be politically correct, say your lines, say the right thing about the people you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/as-an-actor-you-re-trained-to-do-the-right-thing-be-politically/)

[Idris Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/)

> [“When there are no gods to judge, who can say what is right or wrong?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-scull/when-there-are-no-gods-to-judge-who-can-say-what-is-right-or-wrong/)

[Luke Scull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-scull/)

> [As I always say, 'Not always right, but never in doubt.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-schreyer/as-i-always-say-not-always-right-but-never-in-doubt/)

[William Schreyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-schreyer/)

> [I have a new television show in the works, and that is all I can say right now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angie-stone/i-have-a-new-television-show-in-the-works-and-that-is-all-i-can-say/)

[Angie Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angie-stone/)

> [If I had a choice, I'd say I'm right-handed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-conley-jr/if-i-had-a-choice-i-d-say-i-m-right-handed/)

[Mike Conley Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-conley-jr/)

## More by Benjamin Hart

> [The tedious and convoluted reasoning behind the Supreme Court's ongoing project to expunge all references to God from the public domain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hart/the-tedious-and-convoluted-reasoning-behind-the-supreme-court-s/)

[Benjamin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hart/)

> [When a minister or a clergyman takes seriously unfashionable Christian doctrines which condemn sex outside marriage, homosexuality, abortion, and feminism, and injects his views…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hart/when-a-minister-or-a-clergyman-takes-seriously-unfashionable/)

[Benjamin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hart/)

> [Proponents of so-called pluralism feel compelled to ban religious considerations from public discourse because they know, instinctively if not intellectually, that their faith is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hart/proponents-of-so-called-pluralism-feel-compelled-to-ban-religious/)

[Benjamin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hart/)

> [America has become politically and culturally agnostic, and the Christian faith in the minds of many has come to represent intolerance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hart/america-has-become-politically-and-culturally-agnostic-and-the/)

[Benjamin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hart/)

> [A society based on Christian principles provides for pluralism, but with enough restrictions to prevent civilization from degenerating into chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hart/a-society-based-on-christian-principles-provides-for-pluralism-but/)

[Benjamin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hart/)

> [Christians today are forced to support, with their tax money, the establishment of another religious faith that stands opposed to everything they believe. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hart/christians-today-are-forced-to-support-with-their-tax-money-the/)

[Benjamin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hart/)

[Explore all 7 Benjamin Hart quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hart/)

## More Christian quotes

> [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/)

[Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/)

> [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/)

[Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/)

> [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Why do Christians sing when they are together? The reason is, quite simply, because in singing together it is possible for them to speak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/why-do-christians-sing-when-they-are-together-the-reason-is-quite/)

[Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/)

> [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/)

[Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/)

> [“A question for Christians who accept evolution: When did we gain a "soul"? Did Homo habilis have a soul? Homo ergaster? Did God only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-g-mcafee/a-question-for-christians-who-accept-evolution-when-did-we-gain-a/)

[David G. McAfee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-g-mcafee/)

> [Always have the fear of God in your heart, and remember that God is always with you, everywhere, whether you are walking or sitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennadius-of-constantinople/always-have-the-fear-of-god-in-your-heart-and-remember-that-god-is/)

[Gennadius of Constantinople](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennadius-of-constantinople/)

> [For many, the call to be a Christian can seem demanding, even overwhelming. But we need not be afraid or feel inadequate. The Savior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-hales/for-many-the-call-to-be-a-christian-can-seem-demanding-even/)

[Robert D. Hales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-hales/)

> [A real Christian in an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-real-christian-in-an-odd-number-anyway-he-feels-supreme-love-for/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [When the Lord Jesus Christ became my surety . . . He went to Calvary's cross, and all my guilt was charged against Him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-allen-ironside/when-the-lord-jesus-christ-became-my-surety-he-went-to-calvary-s/)

[Henry Allen Ironside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-allen-ironside/)

> [The world's history is a divine poem, of which the history of every nation is a canto, and every man a word. Its strains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/the-world-s-history-is-a-divine-poem-of-which-the-history-of-every/)

[James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/)

> [Poor David Hume is dying fast, but with more real cheerfulness and good humor and with more real resignation to the necessary course of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/poor-david-hume-is-dying-fast-but-with-more-real-cheerfulness-and/)

[Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/)

> [“Is there any holy beings like human beings?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/is-there-any-holy-beings-like-human-beings/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/)

[Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/)

> [We need to discover all over again that worship is natural to the Christian, as it was to the godly Israelites who wrote the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/we-need-to-discover-all-over-again-that-worship-is-natural-to-the/)

[J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/)

[Browse all 14,306 Christian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "\"Who are we to say what is right and what is wrong?\" is the common refrain under the doctrine of pure pluralism. Clearly, society cannot long survive if this principle is pushed to its logical conclusion and everyone is free to write his own laws.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Benjamin Hart"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hart/who-are-we-to-say-what-is-right-and-what-is-wrong-is-the-common/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Christian"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hart/who-are-we-to-say-what-is-right-and-what-is-wrong-is-the-common/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adc/benjamin-hart-51339_christian_who-are-we-to-say-what-is-right-and-what_2848643.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adc/benjamin-hart-51339_christian_who-are-we-to-say-what-is-right-and-what_2848643.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adc/benjamin-hart-51339_christian_who-are-we-to-say-what-is-right-and-what_2848643.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“\"Who are we to say what is right and what is wrong?\" is the common refrain under the doctrine of pure…” — Benjamin Hart",
                "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": "Benjamin Hart",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hart/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "\"Who are we to say what...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hart/who-are-we-to-say-what-is-right-and-what-is-wrong-is-the-common/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hart/who-are-we-to-say-what-is-right-and-what-is-wrong-is-the-common/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
