Absurd Quote by John Steinbeck
“It would be absurd if we did not understand both angels and devils, since we invented them.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: East of Eden, 1952
Recognizing that concepts of good and evil are human creations highlights moral ambiguity.
In simple terms: Good and evil are invented ideas.
Key Takeaway
Question moral assumptions.
Themes
ethics
philosophy
human nature
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- legal judgments
- political rhetoric
- media narratives
- personal judgments
Key Concepts
moral relativism
mythmaking
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you see moral concepts as absolute or constructed?
- How does labeling affect behavior?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on binaries can oversimplify complex issues.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
