Believe Quote by H. L. Mencken
“What reason is there for believing that a high death rate, in itself, is undesirable? To my knowledge none whatever. The plain fact is that, if it be suitably selective, it is extremely salubrious. Suppose it could be so arranged that it ran to 100% a year among politicians, executive secretaries, drive chairmen, and the homicidally insane? What rational man would object?”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The American Language, 1917
The quote argues that death is not inherently bad if it selectively removes harmful individuals, implying that a high death rate can be beneficial under certain conditions.
In simple terms: Death can be good if it targets the harmful.
Key Takeaway
Consider the ethics of selective mortality.
Themes
ethics
philosophy
human nature
politics
population control
Mood
provocative
controversial
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- public policy debates
- bioethics panels
- fictional dystopias
- academic ethics courses
Key Concepts
utilitarianism
social Darwinism
eugenics
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it ever justifiable to value some lives over others?
- What criteria could be ethically used?
A Different Perspective
Assumes moral authority to decide whose lives are expendable.
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