Approved Quote by Henri Frederic Amiel
“There is an illusion of central position, justifying one's own purposes as right and everybody else¹s as wrong, and providing a proper degree of paranoia. Righteous ends, thus approved, absolve of guilt the most violent means.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Journal of a Solitary Traveller, 1860
It warns that believing one's own perspective is central can breed paranoia and justify violent actions for perceived righteous goals.
In simple terms: Thinking you're always right can lead to paranoia and violent means.
Key Takeaway
Question your assumptions and seek humility.
Themes
bias
paranoia
ethics
power
violence
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- conflict resolution
- personal decision‑making
- activism
Key Concepts
moral relativism
self‑justification
political psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you recognize when your view is overly central?
- What checks can prevent justified violence?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook systemic factors that shape perspectives.
