Evil Quote by Joseph de Maistre
![“[M]an cannot be wicked without being evil, nor evil without being degraded, nor degraded without being punished, nor punished without being guilty. In short … there is nothing so intrinsically plausible as the theory of original sin.” quote by Joseph de Maistre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5b8/joseph-de-maistre-11359_evil_m-an-cannot-be-wicked-without-being-evil_958862.jpg)
““[M]an cannot be wicked without being evil, nor evil without being degraded, nor degraded without being punished, nor punished without being guilty. In short … there is nothing so intrinsically plausible as the theory of original sin.””
About This Quote
Source Treat: Considerations on the Nature of Man, 1795
The quote argues that wickedness, evil, degradation, punishment, and guilt are inseparable, and that original sin lacks intrinsic plausibility.
In simple terms: Wickedness and guilt are linked; original sin seems implausible.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about inherent sinfulness.
Themes
theology
human nature
morality
Mood
skeptical
critical
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- legal judgments
- personal reflection
- religious teaching
- psychological analysis
Key Concepts
original sin
causality
ethical determinism
Questions to Reflect On
- Is moral responsibility always tied to guilt?
- Can evil exist without punishment?
A Different Perspective
The argument may overlook cultural and situational factors influencing behavior.
![“The Church received from the apostles the tradition of giving baptism even to infants. The apostles, to whom were committed the secrets of the divine sacraments, knew there are in everyone innate strains of [original] sin, which must be washed away through water and the Spirit” quote by Origen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cb8/origen-12126_apostles_the-church-received-from-the-apostles-th_199967.jpg)
![“Evil cannot be "treated" -- nor should it be. Evil has to [be] confronted and destroyed and it matters not why the evil is in play. Society has no obligation to try to rehabilitate evil.” quote by Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b89/bill-o-reilly-1019_destroyed_evil-cannot-be-treated-nor-should-it-be_3597.jpg)
