--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The question is not whether the good…" description: "\"The question is not whether the good outweighs the bad. The question is whether or not the good excuses the bad. And, in my opinion, it doesn't. It nev..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/289/derek-r-audette-13963_amount_the-question-is-not-whether-the-good-out_413583.jpg" --- # The question is not whether the good outweighs the bad… ![“The question is not whether the good outweighs the bad. The question is whether or not the good excuses the bad. And, in my opinion, it doesn't. It never does. As long as wrongs are being commited, in any quantity, and in any ratio to the amount of good that is being done, it is both irresponsible…” quote by Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/289/derek-r-audette-13963_amount_the-question-is-not-whether-the-good-out_413583.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/289/derek-r-audette-13963_amount_the-question-is-not-whether-the-good-out_413583.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/289/derek-r-audette-13963_amount_the-question-is-not-whether-the-good-out_413583.jpg) > “The question is not whether the good outweighs the bad. The question is whether or not the good excuses the bad. And, in my opinion, it doesn't. It never does. As long as wrongs are being commited, in any quantity, and in any ratio to the amount of good that is being done, it is both irresponsible and wrong not to bring awareness to it, and struggle to put an end to it.” [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Good deeds do not excuse ongoing wrongdoing; awareness and action are essential. **In simple terms:** Good does not excuse bad. Key Takeaway Speak up against injustice. Themes ethics responsibility awareness Mood urgent thoughtful Type calltoaction philosophical When to use this quote - workplace harassment - environmental harm - corruption scandals Key Concepts morality social justice Questions to Reflect On - What injustices have you witnessed? - How can you effectively raise awareness? A Different Perspective Addressing bad can be risky and costly. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Awareness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awareness/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle/) ## Related quotes > [..we'll deal with it, because the good outweighs the bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-lockhart/we-ll-deal-with-it-because-the-good-outweighs-the-bad/) [E. Lockhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-lockhart/) > [“I tend to think the good outweighs the bad. Then again, I try to be a glass-half-full person. Although I stand by my theory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caprice-crane/i-tend-to-think-the-good-outweighs-the-bad-then-again-i-try-to-be-a/) [Caprice Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caprice-crane/) > [All human beings search for either reasons to be good, or excuses to be bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/all-human-beings-search-for-either-reasons-to-be-good-or-excuses-to/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [Not managing your time and making excuses are two bad habits. Don't put them both together by claiming you 'don't have the time'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/not-managing-your-time-and-making-excuses-are-two-bad-habits-don-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I guess we always find excuses to keep on with our bad habits, don't we?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/i-guess-we-always-find-excuses-to-keep-on-with-our-bad-habits-don-t-we/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [“When you say a right or wrong behavior is on a spectrum, you are simply trying to make excuses for bad behavior.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-fry/when-you-say-a-right-or-wrong-behavior-is-on-a-spectrum-you-are/) [Jeffrey Fry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-fry/) > [She wants to believe my excuses so bad. Every time I lie, she wants to believe me so much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-asher/she-wants-to-believe-my-excuses-so-bad-every-time-i-lie-she-wants-to/) [Jay Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-asher/) > [Kick the excuses, bad attitude and effort destroying thoughts to the curb!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/kick-the-excuses-bad-attitude-and-effort-destroying-thoughts-to-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Man-management far outweighs sports science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/man-management-far-outweighs-sports-science/) [Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/) > [One wise man's verdict outweighs all the fools'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/one-wise-man-s-verdict-outweighs-all-the-fools/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) > [A mental attraction outweighs any physical attraction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-mental-attraction-outweighs-any-physical-attraction/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The power of love far outweighs the power of will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-shetty/the-power-of-love-far-outweighs-the-power-of-will/) [Jay Shetty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-shetty/) > [“Reliance on God is the best thing to do; because God's good outweighs your best.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-q-mensah/reliance-on-god-is-the-best-thing-to-do-because-god-s-good-outweighs/) Hannah Q. Mensah > [The appetite and fight for winning a game outweighs any other thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-f-cahill/the-appetite-and-fight-for-winning-a-game-outweighs-any-other-thoughts/) [Timothy F. Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-f-cahill/) > [“Love outweighs the liabilities.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-cecilia/love-outweighs-the-liabilities/) [Martha Cecilia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-cecilia/) ## More by Derek R. Audette > [Sanity can take one of only two forms: that of ignorance, or denial.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/sanity-can-take-one-of-only-two-forms-that-of-ignorance-or-denial/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [If you're going to condemn a people based on the actions of the worst of its ranks; take a good look at the worst…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/if-you-re-going-to-condemn-a-people-based-on-the-actions-of-the-worst/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [No matter how substandard you feel your skill or talent may be, If you never produce your art, the world will always remain deprived…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/no-matter-how-substandard-you-feel-your-skill-or-talent-may-be-if-you/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [There has got to be a point that exists somewhere, when a rational person just has to shake his head and say: 'You know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/there-has-got-to-be-a-point-that-exists-somewhere-when-a-rational/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [Abstraction is an exercise in a pre-assured failure. It is a futile attempt to communicate the non-communicable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/abstraction-is-an-exercise-in-a-pre-assured-failure-it-is-a-futile/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [Thoughts, words, ideas and information, free from any bonds or restrictions, is the very concrete which pours out a foundation strong enough that upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/thoughts-words-ideas-and-information-free-from-any-bonds-or/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [Without compassion, true gratitude is an impossibility. If we are to feel gratitude towards another for their deeds, then we must have compassion for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/without-compassion-true-gratitude-is-an-impossibility-if-we-are-to/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [Gratitude free of compassion is selfishness. It is nothing more than being happy for what has been done to benefit you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/gratitude-free-of-compassion-is-selfishness-it-is-nothing-more-than/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [One of the most distinguishing differences between liberals and conservatives in America is that the average Liberal feels that we should have little reservation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/one-of-the-most-distinguishing-differences-between-liberals-and/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [In a world where God does not exist, any reasonable person must see that the propensity toward selfishness should be the most venerated of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/in-a-world-where-god-does-not-exist-any-reasonable-person-must-see/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [Those who are offended by something are most often those who deserve to be offended by it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/those-who-are-offended-by-something-are-most-often-those-who-deserve/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [If you want to know what true art is: Go outside on a clear night, wait until it gets very, very dark, then look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/if-you-want-to-know-what-true-art-is-go-outside-on-a-clear-night-wait/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [The nobility which exists within any cause is to be found not in any achievement, but instead within the struggle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/the-nobility-which-exists-within-any-cause-is-to-be-found-not-in-any/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [The universal methodology of the tyrant is always incrementalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/the-universal-methodology-of-the-tyrant-is-always-incrementalism/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [More often than not, in order to find truth, a wise man must suffer the ravings of the insane. There is no undiscovered truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/more-often-than-not-in-order-to-find-truth-a-wise-man-must-suffer-the/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) [Explore all 48 Derek R. 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What matters is what that amount represents in terms of your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/the-amount-you-give-isn-t-important-what-matters-is-what-that-amount/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [There's a place in Botswana where there are 100,000 elephants living in a single population. Think of the amount of space they need. Remember,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-bergin/there-s-a-place-in-botswana-where-there-are-100-000-elephants-living/) [Patrick Bergin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-bergin/) > [How could you justify giving Holland twice the amount of money that you gave Belgium? Well, finally, I put it up to them. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-averell-harriman/how-could-you-justify-giving-holland-twice-the-amount-of-money-that/) [W. Averell Harriman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-averell-harriman/) > [I am not a great believer in dialectical struggle. I am much more of a fusion person. 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