Chance Quote by Gerry Spence
“The so-called godly man may be more likely to do serious wrong than a man who deeply questions himself. The 'godly man' often zealously follows religious precepts that, in the end, justify an unjust injury to others, while the questioning man, addressing his own conscience, may have the better chance to consider all the circumstances and come to the just decision.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Art of Advocacy by Gerry Spence, 1995
Blind devotion to doctrine can lead to greater harm than thoughtful self‑examination, which encourages moral nuance and justice.
In simple terms: Blind faith can cause more harm than questioning oneself.
Key Takeaway
Question your motives, not just rules.
Themes
morality
religion
justice
Mood
reflective
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
ethical
cautionary
When to use this quote
- legal practice
- personal decision‑making
- community leadership
Key Concepts
critical thinking
ethical humility
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance respect for tradition with personal conscience?
- When might questioning be seen as disrespectful?
A Different Perspective
Blind faith may overlook unintended consequences and suppress dissent.
![“Government [is] operated by deeply embedded, hopelessly entangled bureaus where nothing is accomplished because the function of the bureau is to intercept every living idea and smother it.” quote by Gerry Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/adf/gerry-spence-9080_accomplished_government-is-operated-by-deeply-embedde_332289.jpg)
