Adultery Quote by Christopher Hitchens
“Nothing optional -- from homosexuality to adultery -- is ever made punishable unless those who do the prohibiting (and exact the fierce punishment) have a repressed desire to participate.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: God Is Not Great, 2006
People who enforce strict prohibitions often hide their own suppressed desires behind harsh punishments.
In simple terms: Enforcers may be motivated by hidden cravings.
Key Takeaway
Watch for hypocrisy in moral judgments.
Themes
hypocrisy
power
desire
morality
repression
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- legal systems
- religious doctrine
- personal relationships
- public policy
- social activism
Key Concepts
psychology
social control
ethical paradox
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we punish others for what we secretly want?
- How can societies address hidden biases?
A Different Perspective
Such punishments can perpetuate injustice and ignore underlying causes.
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