---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We need an approach to ethics which makes…"
description: "\"We need an approach to ethics which makes no recourse to religion and can be equally acceptable to those with faith and those without.\" — Dalai Lama"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/501/dalai-lama-89_acceptable_we-need-an-approach-to-ethics-which-make_2858827.jpg"
---

#  We need an approach to ethics which makes no recourse to…

![“We need an approach to ethics which makes no recourse to religion and can be equally acceptable to those with faith and those without.” quote by Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/501/dalai-lama-89_acceptable_we-need-an-approach-to-ethics-which-make_2858827.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/501/dalai-lama-89_acceptable_we-need-an-approach-to-ethics-which-make_2858827.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/501/dalai-lama-89_acceptable_we-need-an-approach-to-ethics-which-make_2858827.jpg)

> “We need an approach to ethics which makes no recourse to religion and can be equally acceptable to those with faith and those without.”

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

## About This Quote

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

A moral framework should be secular, allowing both believers and non‑believers to agree on ethical standards.

**In simple terms:** Ethics can be non‑religious and inclusive.

Key Takeaway

Create universal, secular ethics.

Themes

ethics inclusivity secularism

Mood

thoughtful respectful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- Policy making
- interfaith dialogue
- education
- human rights law

Key Concepts

Moral philosophy pluralism

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we respect religious values while promoting secular ethics?
- What common ground exists between faith‑based and non‑faith ethics?

A Different Perspective

Secular ethics may clash with deeply held religious convictions.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Approach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approach/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/)

## Related quotes

> [Fundamentalist is a person who considers whether a fact is acceptable to their faith before they explore it. As opposed to a curious person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/fundamentalist-is-a-person-who-considers-whether-a-fact-is-acceptable/)

[Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/)

> [Even the most rational approach to ethics is defenseless if there isn't the will to do what is right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/even-the-most-rational-approach-to-ethics-is-defenseless-if-there-isn/)

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

> [When we face problems or disagreements today, we have to arrive at solutions through dialogue. Dialogue is the only appropriate method. One-sided victory is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/when-we-face-problems-or-disagreements-today-we-have-to-arrive-at/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [“It is not a conclusive proof of a doctrine’s correctness that its adversaries use the police, the hangman, and violent mobs to fight it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/it-is-not-a-conclusive-proof-of-a-doctrine-s-correctness-that-its/)

[Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/)

> [Che Guevara taught us we could dare to have confidence in ourselves, confidence in our abilities. He instilled in us the conviction that struggle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sankara/che-guevara-taught-us-we-could-dare-to-have-confidence-in-ourselves/)

[Thomas Sankara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sankara/)

> [I have no taste for either poverty or honest labor, so writing is the only recourse left for me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/i-have-no-taste-for-either-poverty-or-honest-labor-so-writing-is-the/)

[Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/)

> [Government and state can never be perfect because they owe their raison d'être to the imperfection of man and can attain their end, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/government-and-state-can-never-be-perfect-because-they-owe-their/)

[Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/)

> [Our dependence upon God ought to be so entire and absolute that we should never think it necessary, in any kind of distress, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/our-dependence-upon-god-ought-to-be-so-entire-and-absolute-that-we/)

[Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/)

> [I realize that the nation is facing problems presently that it hasn't faced in a long, long time. But you have a recourse that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-swaggart/i-realize-that-the-nation-is-facing-problems-presently-that-it-hasn-t/)

[Jimmy Swaggart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-swaggart/)

> [As centuries of dictators have known, an illiterate crowd is the easiest to rule; since the craft of reading cannot be untaught once it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-manguel/as-centuries-of-dictators-have-known-an-illiterate-crowd-is-the/)

[Alberto Manguel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-manguel/)

> [We are firmly convinced, and we act on that conviction, that with nations as with individuals our interests soundly calculated will ever be found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-are-firmly-convinced-and-we-act-on-that-conviction-that-with/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [Prayer is so necessary, and the source of so many blessings, that he who has discovered the treasure cannot be prevented from having recourse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/prayer-is-so-necessary-and-the-source-of-so-many-blessings-that-he/)

[Francois Fenelon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/)

> [The United States Supreme Court, once a reliable if ultimate recourse for progressive and even revolutionary grievances, has become a retrograde wellspring for enormous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/june-jordan/the-united-states-supreme-court-once-a-reliable-if-ultimate-recourse/)

[June Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/june-jordan/)

> [Oh Mary, star of the sea, once again we recourse to thee, to find refuge and sernity, to implore your protection and help. Mother…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/oh-mary-star-of-the-sea-once-again-we-recourse-to-thee-to-find-refuge/)

[Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/)

> [Those who have had none of the cares of this life to harass and disturb them, have been obliged to have recourse to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/those-who-have-had-none-of-the-cares-of-this-life-to-harass-and/)

[William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/)

## More by Dalai Lama

> [Although under particular circumstances, the violence method - any method - can be justified, nevertheless once you commit violence, then counterviolence will be returned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/although-under-particular-circumstances-the-violence-method-any/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [In the interests of everyone the artist had a responsibility to use his medium well. In the Tibetan culture, most of the paintings are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/in-the-interests-of-everyone-the-artist-had-a-responsibility-to-use/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [If the mind is dominated by hatred, the best part of the brain, which is used to judge right and wrong, does not function…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/if-the-mind-is-dominated-by-hatred-the-best-part-of-the-brain-which/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [More compassionate mind, more sense of concern for other's well-being, is source of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/more-compassionate-mind-more-sense-of-concern-for-other-s-well-being/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [Everybody loves to talk about calmness and peace, whether in a family, national, or international context, but without inner peace how can we make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/everybody-loves-to-talk-about-calmness-and-peace-whether-in-a-family/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [The only "definitive truth" for Buddhism is the absolute negation of any one truth as the Definitive Truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-only-definitive-truth-for-buddhism-is-the-absolute-negation-of/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [We can change society, change humanity by changing ourselves as individuals. By cultivating inner values, we can change our own lives and those of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-can-change-society-change-humanity-by-changing-ourselves-as/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [I don't want to convert people to Buddhism — all major religions, when understood properly, have the same potential for good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-don-t-want-to-convert-people-to-buddhism-all-major-religions-when/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [There is no way to escape death, it is just like trying to escape by four great mountains touching sky. There is no escape…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-is-no-way-to-escape-death-it-is-just-like-trying-to-escape-by/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [We live within the environment. So that directly relates with our survival, our life. So through that way, more concern of well being of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-live-within-the-environment-so-that-directly-relates-with-our/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [My belief is that the various religious traditions have great potential to increase compassion, the sense of caring for one another, and the spirit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/my-belief-is-that-the-various-religious-traditions-have-great/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [When we think carefully, we see that the brief elation we experience when appeasing sensual impulses may not be very different from what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/when-we-think-carefully-we-see-that-the-brief-elation-we-experience/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [“So let us reflect on what is truly of value in life, what gives meaning to our lives, and set our priorities on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/so-let-us-reflect-on-what-is-truly-of-value-in-life-what-gives/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [I am the source of my own suffering, because of the habits of my mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-am-the-source-of-my-own-suffering-because-of-the-habits-of-my-mind/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

[Explore all 1,406 Dalai Lama quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

## More Acceptable quotes

> [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/)

[Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/)

> [I remember being a kid and seeing the 'National Inquirer' at the grocery store checkout line. When somebody actually picked up a copy, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashida-jones/i-remember-being-a-kid-and-seeing-the-national-inquirer-at-the/)

[Rashida Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashida-jones/)

> [Finally, the scariest thing about abuse of any shape or form, is, in my opinion, not the abuse itself, but that if it continues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cumming/finally-the-scariest-thing-about-abuse-of-any-shape-or-form-is-in-my/)

[Alan Cumming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cumming/)

> [You cannot have 300-some million Americans - and really, right, the global citizenry be at risk of having their phone conversations intercepted with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/you-cannot-have-300-some-million-americans-and-really-right-the/)

[Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/)

> [THE REAL PURPOSE OF HOLOCAUST REVISIONISM IS TO MAKE NATIONAL SOCIALISM AN ACCEPTABLE POLITICAL ALTERNATIVE AGAIN.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-covington/the-real-purpose-of-holocaust-revisionism-is-to-make-national/)

Harold Covington

> [The government has once again made the right socially acceptable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elfriede-jelinek/the-government-has-once-again-made-the-right-socially-acceptable/)

[Elfriede Jelinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elfriede-jelinek/)

> [The study of Freemasonry is the study of man as a candidate for a blessed eternity. It furnishes examples of holy living, and displays…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-howard-taft/the-study-of-freemasonry-is-the-study-of-man-as-a-candidate-for-a/)

[William Howard Taft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-howard-taft/)

> [Or why it is acceptable to train fast runners and high jumpers but not to breed them. I can think of some answers, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/or-why-it-is-acceptable-to-train-fast-runners-and-high-jumpers-but/)

[Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/)

> [As the future is never known with certainty, the evaluation of the prospective benefits requires the formation of expectations. An acceptable house, partner or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-t-mortensen/as-the-future-is-never-known-with-certainty-the-evaluation-of-the/)

[Dale T. Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-t-mortensen/)

> [If a man is pictured chopping off a woman's breast, it only gets an R rating; but if, God forbid, a man is pictured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-struthers/if-a-man-is-pictured-chopping-off-a-woman-s-breast-it-only-gets-an-r/)

Sally Struthers

> [We cannot guess the outcome of our actions... Which is why our actions must always be acceptable in themselves, and not as strategies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-heilbrun/we-cannot-guess-the-outcome-of-our-actions-which-is-why-our-actions/)

[Carolyn Heilbrun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-heilbrun/)

> [In any case, open-seat presidential elections like 2008 just are different in character from incumbent reelects, and I think that's the most important thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-kristol/in-any-case-open-seat-presidential-elections-like-2008-just-are/)

[William Kristol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-kristol/)

> [It's horrible how money and fame can make you acceptable while, if you're not famous or rich, you're not acceptable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-tonioli/it-s-horrible-how-money-and-fame-can-make-you-acceptable-while-if-you/)

[Bruno Tonioli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-tonioli/)

> [I disagree with the prevailing point of view of some black leaders that special treatment for blacks is acceptable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-thomas/i-disagree-with-the-prevailing-point-of-view-of-some-black-leaders/)

[Clarence Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-thomas/)

> [We get used to a certain kind of colour of form or format, and it's acceptable. And to puncture that is sticking your neck…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-krasner/we-get-used-to-a-certain-kind-of-colour-of-form-or-format-and-it-s/)

[Lee Krasner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-krasner/)

Browse all 750 Acceptable quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "We need an approach to ethics which makes no recourse to religion and can be equally acceptable to those with faith and those without.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Dalai Lama"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-need-an-approach-to-ethics-which-makes-no-recourse-to-religion-and/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Acceptable"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-need-an-approach-to-ethics-which-makes-no-recourse-to-religion-and/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/501/dalai-lama-89_acceptable_we-need-an-approach-to-ethics-which-make_2858827.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/501/dalai-lama-89_acceptable_we-need-an-approach-to-ethics-which-make_2858827.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/501/dalai-lama-89_acceptable_we-need-an-approach-to-ethics-which-make_2858827.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“We need an approach to ethics which makes no recourse to religion and can be equally acceptable to those…” — Dalai Lama",
                "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": "Dalai Lama",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "We need an approach to ethics...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-need-an-approach-to-ethics-which-makes-no-recourse-to-religion-and/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-need-an-approach-to-ethics-which-makes-no-recourse-to-religion-and/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
