Dangerous Quote by Dorothy L. Sayers
“The Devil ... is much better served by exploiting our virtues than by appealing to our lower passions; consequently, it is when the Devil looks most noble and reasonable that he is most dangerous.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Devil's Advocate by Dorothy L. Sayers, 1930
Virtues can be weaponized, making seemingly noble arguments dangerous when they mask harmful intent.
In simple terms: Good traits can be misused for bad ends.
Key Takeaway
Beware of appealing to virtue as a cover for harm.
Themes
ethics
manipulation
danger
virtue
reason
Mood
cautious
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
warning
When to use this quote
- political debate
- legal arguments
- personal relationships
- advertising
- leadership
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
psychology
rhetoric
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you detect hidden agendas behind virtuous language?
- When is virtue used as a shield for wrongdoing?
A Different Perspective
Even noble‑looking arguments can hide selfish motives.
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![“See that the mind is honest, first; the rest may follow or not as God wills. [That] the fundamental treason to the mind ... is the one fundamental treason which the scholar's mind must not allow is the bond uniting all the Oxford people in the last resort.” quote by Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c74/dorothy-l-sayers-738_academia_see-that-the-mind-is-honest-first-the-re_16293.jpg)
![“Perhaps [the critics are right and] the drama is played out now and Jesus is safely dead and buried. Perhaps. It is ironical and entertaining to consider that at least once in the world's history those words might have been said with complete conviction, and that was on the eve of the Resurrection.” quote by Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/467/dorothy-l-sayers-738_buried_perhaps-the-critics-are-right-and-the-dr_43252.jpg)
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
