---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You want to hate somebody, if you can…"
description: "\"You want to hate somebody, if you can, just to keep your powers of discrimination bright, and to save yourself from becoming a mere mush of good-nature..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/035/charles-dudley-warner-8025_becoming_you-want-to-hate-somebody-if-you-can-jus_2725760.jpg"
---

#  You want to hate somebody, if you can, just to keep your…

![“You want to hate somebody, if you can, just to keep your powers of discrimination bright, and to save yourself from becoming a mere mush of good-nature.” quote by Charles Dudley Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/035/charles-dudley-warner-8025_becoming_you-want-to-hate-somebody-if-you-can-jus_2725760.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/035/charles-dudley-warner-8025_becoming_you-want-to-hate-somebody-if-you-can-jus_2725760.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/035/charles-dudley-warner-8025_becoming_you-want-to-hate-somebody-if-you-can-jus_2725760.jpg)

> “You want to hate somebody, if you can, just to keep your powers of discrimination bright, and to save yourself from becoming a mere mush of good-nature.”

[Charles Dudley Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dudley-warner/)

## About This Quote

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

The author advises maintaining critical judgment to avoid becoming overly naive.

**In simple terms:** Stay critical to avoid naiveté.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate discerning judgment.

Themes

critical thinking ethics self‑control

Mood

cautious thoughtful

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

- debates
- media consumption
- personal decisions

Key Concepts

moral vigilance intellectual rigor

Questions to Reflect On

- When is trust appropriate?
- How balance criticism with openness?

A Different Perspective

Over‑critical can lead to cynicism.

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[Discrimination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discrimination/) [Diversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diversity/) [Good nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-nature/) [Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Save yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/save-yourself/) [Social justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-justice/)

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