--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only thing that permits us to…" description: "\"The only thing that permits us to acquiesce in an erroneous theory is the lack of a better one, analogously, an injustice is tolerable only when it is ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ff/john-rawls-7786_greater_the-only-thing-that-permits-us-to-acquie_2214618.jpg" --- # The only thing that permits us to acquiesce in an… ![“The only thing that permits us to acquiesce in an erroneous theory is the lack of a better one, analogously, an injustice is tolerable only when it is necessary to avoid an even greater injustice.” quote by John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ff/john-rawls-7786_greater_the-only-thing-that-permits-us-to-acquie_2214618.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ff/john-rawls-7786_greater_the-only-thing-that-permits-us-to-acquie_2214618.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ff/john-rawls-7786_greater_the-only-thing-that-permits-us-to-acquie_2214618.jpg) > “The only thing that permits us to acquiesce in an erroneous theory is the lack of a better one, analogously, an injustice is tolerable only when it is necessary to avoid an even greater injustice.” [John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that people accept a flawed theory only because no better alternative exists, and that an injustice is tolerated only when it prevents a greater one. **In simple terms:** We accept bad ideas when no better ones are available, and tolerate injustice to avoid worse outcomes. Key Takeaway Seek better alternatives before accepting injustice. Themes ethics political philosophy justice decision making theory of knowledge Mood thoughtful critical inquisitive Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - policy formation - legal reform - ethical debates - education curricula Key Concepts utilitarianism deontological ethics social contract moral reasoning Questions to Reflect On - What constitutes a “greater” injustice? - When is tolerating injustice acceptable? A Different Perspective It may justify harmful practices if perceived as preventing worse outcomes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acquiesce Erroneous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquiesce-erroneous-4918524/) [Analogously Injustice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/analogously-injustice-4918525/) [Erroneous Theory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/erroneous-theory-4918523/) [Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater/) [Greater Injustice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater-injustice-673397/) [Injustice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/injustice/) [Injustice Tolerable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/injustice-tolerable-1205167/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Permit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/permit/) [Persecution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persecution/) [Theory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theory/) [Tolerable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tolerable/) [Tolerance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tolerance/) ## Related quotes > [An injustice is tolerable only when it is necessary to avoid an even greater injustice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rawls/an-injustice-is-tolerable-only-when-it-is-necessary-to-avoid-an-even/) [John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/) > [ “\[T\]he suppression of injustice with greater injustice only fuels righteous indignation, which will spread even if only maintained by a righteous few.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-mcdurmon/t-he-suppression-of-injustice-with-greater-injustice-only-fuels/) [Joel McDurmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-mcdurmon/) > [There is no greater injustice than to wring your profits from the sweat of another man's brow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/there-is-no-greater-injustice-than-to-wring-your-profits-from-the/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The fact that the world is utterly insane makes it tolerable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/errol-morris/the-fact-that-the-world-is-utterly-insane-makes-it-tolerable/) [Errol Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/errol-morris/) > [You know what's the most terrifying thing about admitting that you're in love? 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