Generalizations Quote by Kaiten Nukariya
““Over against these generalizations we raise no objection, but there are many cases, in practical life, of doubtful nature. An act of charity, for example, might do others some sort of damage, as is often the case with the giving of alms to the poor, which may produce the undesirable consequence of encouraging beggary. An act of love might produce an injurious effect, as the mother's love often spoils her children. Some[FN#218] may think these are cases of good cause and bad effect. We have, however, to analyze these causes and effects in order to find in what relation they stand.””
About This Quote
Good intentions can unintentionally cause harm; evaluating actions requires separating cause from effect rather than assuming moral outcomes.
In simple terms: Good deeds may have hidden negative consequences.
Key Takeaway
Assess outcomes, not just intentions.
Themes
ethics
consequentialism
unintended effects
moral complexity
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- charitable giving
- parental affection
- policy design
- philanthropy
- education
Key Concepts
causal analysis
moral ambiguity
Practical Applications
- impact assessment
- risk mitigation
Questions to Reflect On
- When does a good intention become a moral failure?
- How can we predict hidden harms?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that any harm is outweighed by overall benefit, making strict causal scrutiny unnecessary.
![“There is no point in worrying about the effect [result], which has already occurred. It is worth paying attention to the facts (causes) upon which the effects [results] are based.” quote by Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/121/dada-bhagwan-31_occurred_there-is-no-point-in-worrying-about-the_2266616.jpg)
![“Rin-zai also says: "Spirit is formless, but it penetrates through the world in the ten directions."[FN#149] The Sixth Patriarch expresses the same idea more explicitly: "What creates the phenomena is Mind; what transcends all the phenomena is Buddha."[FN#150]” quote by Kaiten Nukariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d4e/kaiten-nukariya-793_spirit-formless_rin-zai-also-says-spirit-is-formless-but_13012.jpg)
![“it is the overcoming of egoism, the destroying of mean desires, the uplifting of the moral ideal, and the disclosing of inborn wisdom. [FN#12]” quote by Kaiten Nukariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3ae/kaiten-nukariya-793_egoism_it-is-the-overcoming-of-egoism-the-destr_46308.jpg)
![“The fourth stage is called the Rank of Co-operative Merit,[FN#273] in which the student 'co-operates' with other persons in order to complete his merit. Now, he is not compared with a general who conquers his foe, but with the prime-minister who co-operates with other officials to the benefit of…” quote by Kaiten Nukariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4a6/kaiten-nukariya-793_quote_the-fourth-stage-is-called-the-rank-of-c_48041.jpg){kind=icon}
