--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we make sacrifices in doing good or in…" description: "\"If we make sacrifices in doing good or in doing ill, it does not alter the ultimate value of our actions; even if we stake our life in the cause, as ma..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/130/friedrich-nietzsche-15_action_if-we-make-sacrifices-in-doing-good-or-i_2794176.jpg" --- # If we make sacrifices in doing good or in doing ill, it… ![“If we make sacrifices in doing good or in doing ill, it does not alter the ultimate value of our actions; even if we stake our life in the cause, as martyrs do for the sake of our church : it is a sacrifice to our longing for power, or for the purpose of conserving our sense of power.” quote by Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/130/friedrich-nietzsche-15_action_if-we-make-sacrifices-in-doing-good-or-i_2794176.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/130/friedrich-nietzsche-15_action_if-we-make-sacrifices-in-doing-good-or-i_2794176.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/130/friedrich-nietzsche-15_action_if-we-make-sacrifices-in-doing-good-or-i_2794176.jpg) > “If we make sacrifices in doing good or in doing ill, it does not alter the ultimate value of our actions; even if we stake our life in the cause, as martyrs do for the sake of our church : it is a sacrifice to our longing for power, or for the purpose of conserving our sense of power.” [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Sacrifices for moral causes do not change the inherent value of actions, even when driven by a desire for power. **In simple terms:** Doing good or ill for power doesn’t change the action’s value. Key Takeaway Recognize that motives affect perception, not intrinsic worth. Themes morality power sacrifice value intent Mood critical reflective Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - political activism - personal ambition - religious martyrdom Key Concepts ethical theory philosophy of action Questions to Reflect On - Can a self‑serving motive ever be truly noble? - How do we judge actions with mixed motives? A Different Perspective Power motives can corrupt noble deeds, complicating moral assessment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Charity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charity/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Conserving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conserving/) [Doing good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-good/) [Ill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ill/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Longing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/longing/) [Martyr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/martyr/) [Philanthropy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philanthropy/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Sacrifice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifice/) [Sacrifices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifices/) [Selflessness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selflessness/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) ## Related quotes > [It is thus only this personal feeling of misery that we get rid of by acts of pity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-is-thus-only-this-personal-feeling-of-misery-that-we-get-rid-of-by/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [To regard states of distress in general as an objection, as something which must be abolished is the greatest nonsense on earth; having the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/to-regard-states-of-distress-in-general-as-an-objection-as-something/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [The good-they cannot create; they are always the beginning of the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/the-good-they-cannot-create-they-are-always-the-beginning-of-the-end/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [That, however, is - mediocrity, though it be called moderation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/that-however-is-mediocrity-though-it-be-called-moderation/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Love ever your neighbour as yourselves - but first be such as love themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/love-ever-your-neighbour-as-yourselves-but-first-be-such-as-love/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [The weak and the botched shall perish: first principle of our charity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/the-weak-and-the-botched-shall-perish-first-principle-of-our-charity/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [We do not by any means think it desirable that the kingdom of righteousness and peace should be established on earth (because under any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/we-do-not-by-any-means-think-it-desirable-that-the-kingdom-of/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [You want to be paid as well, you virtuous! 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