Causes Quote by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
“We all have known good critics, who have stamped out poet's hopes; Good statesmen, who pulled ruin on the state; Good patriots, who, for a theory, risked a cause; Good kings, who disemboweled for a tax; Good Popes, who brought all good to jeopardy; Good Christians, who sat still in easy-chairs; And damned the general world for standing up. Now, may the good God pardon all good men!”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Good Men" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 1850
The quote sat how those who are deemed "good" can cause harm through hypocrisy, power, or inaction, undermining the very ideals they claim to uphold.
In simple terms: Good people can act badly.
Key Takeaway
Question the motives behind authority.
Themes
hypocrisy
power
responsibility
Mood
cynical
reflective
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- religious authority
- family dynamics
- personal conscience
Key Concepts
moral paradox
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- Who have you trusted that failed you?
- How can we hold the accountable without cynicism?
A Different Perspective
Even well-intentioned actions can have destructive outcomes.
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