Goodness Quote by François de La Rochefoucauld
““Nobody deserves to be praised for goodness unless he is strong enough to be bad.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Maximes, 1665
Goodness is praised only if one can also be bad when needed.
In simple terms: True virtue includes strength to act badly if required.
Cultivate moral flexibility.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- leadership decisions
- legal judgments
- personal boundaries
- political strategy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it necessary to act contrary to goodness?
- How to balance strength and kindness?
Might be misinterpreted as cynicism.