Books Quote by David Bagby
““Kate is an avid reader of fiction and came across a quote from Anthony Trollope’s novel Barchester Towers. I believe it explains why I did not kill Shirley: “A man in the right relies easily on his rectitude and therefore goes about unarmed. His very strength is his weakness. A man in the wrong knows that he must look to his weapons; his very weakness is his strength. The one is never prepared for combat, the other is always ready. Therefore it is that in this world the man that is in the wrong almost invariably conquers the man that is in the right, and invariably despises him.” Responses””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope, 1855
The passage contrasts the complacency of moral righteousness with the preparedness of those who recognize their own flaws, suggesting the latter often prevail.
In simple terms: Right‑handed complacency is a weakness; left‑handed vigilance is strength.
Key Takeaway
Stay aware of your limits.
Themes
power
ethics
vigilance
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- leadership
- negotiation
- personal development
- ethical decision‑making
- risk management
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
conflict
self‑awareness
Questions to Reflect On
- When does confidence become complacency?
- How can you balance integrity with preparedness?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on moral confidence can blind one to real threats.
![“But evil is a cunning force. It can find the weakness in any man, even the bravest. [...] It only takes a single weak moment to let evil in.” quote by William Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a73/william-joyce-13559_cunning_but-evil-is-a-cunning-force-it-can-find_1725415.jpg)
