Conception Quote by G. I. Gurdjieff
“One may say that evil does not exist for subjective man at all, that there exist only different conceptions of good. Nobody ever does anything deliberately in the interests of evil, for the sake of evil. Everybody acts in the interests of good, as he understands it. But everybody understands it in a different way. Consequently men drown, slay, and kill one another in the interests of good.”
About This Quote
Source Book: All and Everything, G. I. Gurdjieff, 1949
People act according to their own notion of good, never truly for evil, yet differing ideas of good cause conflict.
In simple terms: Good is subjective; actions based on differing good cause harm.
Key Takeaway
Recognize diverse moral views to reduce conflict.
Themes
morality
subjectivity
conflict
human nature
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- political negotiations
- family disputes
- business competition
- social movements
Key Concepts
ethical relativism
intentionality
perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you define good in your life?
- Can differing goods ever be reconciled?
A Different Perspective
Assumes all actions are rationally justified as good, ignoring irrational cruelty.
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