Action Quote by Erich Fromm
“Another nation is made out to be utterly depraved and fiendish, while one's own nation stands for everything that is good and noble. Every action of the enemy is judged by one standard - every action of oneself by another. Even good deeds by the enemy are considered a sign of particular devilishness, meant to deceive us and the world, while our bad deeds are necessary and justified by our noble goals, which they serve.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness, 1973
People tend to view their own group as morally superior while demonizing outsiders, applying double standards to actions.
In simple terms: We see ourselves as good, others as bad, even when evidence contradicts.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge double standards in judgments.
Themes
bias
nationalism
double standards
self‑deception
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- media analysis
- personal relationships
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
in‑group favoritism
othering
moral relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you notice double standards in your own thinking?
- What steps can reduce in‑group bias?
A Different Perspective
Overcoming bias requires confronting uncomfortable truths about one's own group.
![“Politically speaking, tribal nationalism [patriotism] always insists that its own people are surrounded by 'a world of enemies' - 'one against all' - and that a fundamental difference exists between this people and all others. It claims its people to be unique, individual, incompatible with all…” quote by Hannah Arendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9c2/hannah-arendt-610_claims_politically-speaking-tribal-nationalism_2904535.jpg)
