Selfishness Quote by Karl Polanyi
““the selfish gladly consoled themselves with the thought that though it was merciful at least it was not liberal;””
About This Quote
The quote critiques a selfish moral stance that prefers merciful but non‑liberal actions, highlighting a tension between compassion and liberal values.
In simple terms: Selfish mercy can conflict with liberal ideals.
Key Takeaway
Balance compassion with freedom.
Themes
ethics
liberalism
selfishness
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- ethical debates
- personal conduct
Key Concepts
morality
political philosophy
humanism
Questions to Reflect On
- When does compassion become a restriction?
- How can we uphold liberty while being merciful?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on mercy may ignore justice.
