Admirable Quote by Herbert Spencer
“Is it stupidity or is it moral cowardice which leads men to continue professing a creed that makes self-sacrifice a cardinal principle, while they urge the sacrificing of others, even to the death, when they trespass against us? Is it blindness, or is it an insance inconsistency, which makes them regard as most admirable the bearing of evil for the benefit of others, while they lavish admiration on those who, out of revenge, inflict great evils in return for small ones suffered? Surely our barbarian code of right needs revision, and our barbarian standard of honour should be somewhat changed.”
About This Quote
People often claim moral superiority while demanding others sacrifice themselves, revealing a contradictory and self‑serving ethic that needs re‑evaluation.
In simple terms: Moral hypocrisy demands self‑sacrifice but praises others' evil.
Key Takeaway
Question the consistency of moral standards.
Themes
ethics
hypocrisy
morality
self‑sacrifice
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- religious doctrine
- personal ethics
- social movements
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
social critique
human behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- What standards do you hold for yourself versus others?
- How can societies align moral preaching with actions?
A Different Perspective
Moral judgments can be biased and inconsistent.
![“I didn't get a chance to meet Glen [Beck] for this movie. I did meet him a few years ago, coincidentally, before any of this happened. But I've been familiar with his work, so I felt I wanted to get it right. I wanted to honor him. I respect him and I think the way he does his job is admirable…” quote by Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bee/zachary-quinto-4021_admirable_i-didn-t-get-a-chance-to-meet-glen-beck_138334.jpg)
