Commit Quote by Erwin W. Lutzer
“The man who commits immorality does so because he thinks it will maximize pleasure if he can minimize the pain by keeping it secret.”
About This Quote
People rationalize immoral acts by believing hidden pleasure outweighs hidden pain.
In simple terms: Immoral acts are justified by secret pleasure.
Key Takeaway
Question hidden motives before acting.
Themes
ethics
psychology
self‑deception
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal decisions
- business negotiations
- political strategy
Key Concepts
utilitarianism
cognitive bias
moral rationalization
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden benefits do you assume justify a questionable act?
- How might secrecy affect the moral calculus?
A Different Perspective
Assumes pleasure always dominates pain, ignoring long‑term consequences.
![“Ife onye metalu' ['what a man commits'] - a statement unclear and menacing in its very inconclusiveness. What a man commits...Follows him? Comes back to take its toll? Was that all? No, that was only part of it ... The real burden of that cryptic scripture seemed to turn the matter right around…” quote by Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b12/chinua-achebe-781_bible_ife-onye-metalu-what-a-man-commits-a-sta_885070.jpg)
