Bad man Quote by George MacDonald
““Let me once more assert that Mr Malison was not a bad man. The misfortune was, that his notion of right fell in with his natural fierceness; and that, in aggravation of the too common feeling with which he had commenced his relations with his pupils, namely, that they were not only the natural enemies of the master, but therefore of all law, theology had come in and taught him that they were in their own nature bad — with a badness for which the only set-off he knew or could introduce was blows. Independently of any remedial quality that might be in them, these blows were an embodiment of justice; for "every sin," as the catechism teaches, "deserveth God's wrath and curse both in this life and that which is to come." The master therefore was only a co-worker with God in every pandy he inflicted on his pupils. I do not mean that he reasoned thus, but that such-like were the principles he had to act upon.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Lost World by George MacDonald, 1865
A harsh teacher rationalizes cruelty as divine justice, believing punishment is moral.
In simple terms: He sees harsh discipline as rightful justice.
Key Takeaway
Question the morality of punitive authority.
Themes
authority
justice
education
morality
violence
Mood
somber
critical
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- classroom discipline
- parental guidance
- legal sentencing
Key Concepts
theodicy
discipline
ethical relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternatives exist to punitive teaching?
- How does belief in divine justice affect moral choices?
A Different Perspective
Justifying violence as divine may ignore compassion and reform.
![“I wish I had [made that song]. No, I don't That would be to take it from somebody else. But it's mine for all that.' 'What makes it yours?' 'I love it so.' 'Does loving a thing make it yours?' 'I think so, Mother -- at least more than anything else can. . . . Love makes the only myness,' said…” quote by George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/722/george-macdonald-295_love_i-wish-i-had-made-that-song-no-i-don-t-t_35103.jpg)
