--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I do not see why the axiom of Prudence…" description: "\"I do not see why the axiom of Prudence should not be questioned, when it conflicts with present inclination, on a ground similar to that on which Egois..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a9/henry-sidgwick-52182_action_i-do-not-see-why-the-axiom-of-prudence-s_313611.jpg" --- # I do not see why the axiom of Prudence should not be… ![“I do not see why the axiom of Prudence should not be questioned, when it conflicts with present inclination, on a ground similar to that on which Egoists refuse to admit the axiom of Rational Benevolence. If the Utilitarian has to answer the question, 'Why should I sacrifice my own happiness for…” quote by Henry Sidgwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a9/henry-sidgwick-52182_action_i-do-not-see-why-the-axiom-of-prudence-s_313611.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a9/henry-sidgwick-52182_action_i-do-not-see-why-the-axiom-of-prudence-s_313611.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a9/henry-sidgwick-52182_action_i-do-not-see-why-the-axiom-of-prudence-s_313611.jpg) > “I do not see why the axiom of Prudence should not be questioned, when it conflicts with present inclination, on a ground similar to that on which Egoists refuse to admit the axiom of Rational Benevolence. If the Utilitarian has to answer the question, 'Why should I sacrifice my own happiness for the greater happiness of another?' it must surely be admissible to ask the Egoist 'Why should I sacrifice a present pleasure for a greater one in the future? Why should I concern myself about my own future feelings any more than about the feelings of other persons?'” [Henry Sidgwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-sidgwick/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Sidgwick questions that utilitarianism and egoism face similar challenges when personal desire conflicts with moral duties, urging scrutiny of both axioms. **In simple terms:** Both moral theories need questioning when personal desire clashes with duty. Key Takeaway Examine personal motives before accepting moral rules. Themes ethics philosophy conflict morality Mood reflective critical Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - personal decisionmaking - policy formation - ethical debates - psychological self‑assessment Key Concepts axiom utilitarianism egoism rationality Questions to Reflect On - Do personal desires always undermine moral duties? - Can egoism be reconciled with altruism? A Different Perspective The argument assumes rational consistency that may not exist in practice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Axioms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/axioms/) [Benevolence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benevolence/) [Conflict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conflict/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [My own happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-own-happiness/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Prudence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prudence/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Sacrifice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifice/) [Utilitarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/utilitarian/) ## Related quotes > [The wiser course is to think of others when pursuing our own happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-wiser-course-is-to-think-of-others-when-pursuing-our-own-happiness/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [I do not believe that science per se is an adequate source of happiness, nor do I think that my own scientific outlook has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/i-do-not-believe-that-science-per-se-is-an-adequate-source-of/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [I have to find a place for my own. I have to search for my own happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ai-weiwei/i-have-to-find-a-place-for-my-own-i-have-to-search-for-my-own/) [Ai Weiwei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ai-weiwei/) > [If you are not happy you had better stop worrying about it and see what treasures you can pluck from your own brand of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robertson-davies/if-you-are-not-happy-you-had-better-stop-worrying-about-it-and-see/) [Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robertson-davies/) > [Happiness mainly comes from our own attitude, rather than from external factors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/happiness-mainly-comes-from-our-own-attitude-rather-than-from/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/the-best-years-of-your-life-are-the-ones-in-which-you-decide-your-2/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) > [The mind is its own place, and in itself, can make heaven of Hell, and a hell of Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/the-mind-is-its-own-place-and-in-itself-can-make-heaven-of-hell-and-a/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned or worn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/happiness-cannot-be-traveled-to-owned-earned-or-worn/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [To wish for your own happiness is sometimes coupled with another's unhappiness. 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