Beyond good and evil Quote by Charles Bukowski
““There were no judgments to be made, yet out of necessity one had to select. Beyond good and evil was all right in theory, but to go on living one had to select: some were kinder than others, some were simply more interested in you, and sometimes the outwardly beautiful and inwardly cold were necessary. The kinder ones fucked better, really, and after you were around them a while they seemed beautiful because they were.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Post Office by Charles Bukowski, 1971
People must make choices even when ideal neutrality is impossible, balancing moral theory with practical survival.
In simple terms: Choosing is inevitable despite ideal neutrality.
Key Takeaway
Accept the necessity of choosing.
Themes
choice
morality
pragmatism
human nature
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- career decisions
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
ethical dilemmas
survival
social hierarchy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile idealism with practical needs?
- When is compromise justified?
A Different Perspective
Ideal neutrality is rarely achievable in real life.