Cruelty Quote by Judith N. Shklar
“It seems to me that liberal and humane people, of whom there are many among us, would, if they were asked to rank the vices, put cruelty first. Intuitively they would choose cruelty as the worst thing we do.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Liberalism of the Human Condition", 1975
The author argues that humane individuals would rank cruelty as the worst vice, suggesting an intuitive moral hierarchy that places harm to others above other faults.
In simple terms: Humane people see cruelty as the worst wrongdoing.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize kindness and avoid causing harm.
Themes
morality
humanity
ethics
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- education
- conflict resolution
- community building
Key Concepts
cruelty
vice ranking
intuitive morality
Questions to Reflect On
- Why is cruelty perceived as especially egregious?
- Can other vices be equally harmful?
A Different Perspective
The claim may oversimplify complex moral judgments across cultures.
