--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Still it might be nice, once in a while…" description: "\"Still it might be nice, once in a while, not to have to choose between evils. Just once, couldn't I choose the lesser good?\" — Laurell K. Hamilton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24d/laurell-k-hamilton-199_being-nice_still-it-might-be-nice-once-in-a-while-n_1546343.png" --- # Still it might be nice, once in a while, not to have to… ![“Still it might be nice, once in a while, not to have to choose between evils. Just once, couldn't I choose the lesser good?” quote by Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24d/laurell-k-hamilton-199_being-nice_still-it-might-be-nice-once-in-a-while-n_1546343.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24d/laurell-k-hamilton-199_being-nice_still-it-might-be-nice-once-in-a-while-n_1546343.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24d/laurell-k-hamilton-199_being-nice_still-it-might-be-nice-once-in-a-while-n_1546343.png) > “Still it might be nice, once in a while, not to have to choose between evils. Just once, couldn't I choose the lesser good?” [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker wishes for a world where choices aren't forced between two evils, longing for a true lesser good. **In simple terms:** Desire for a choice that isn’t between two bad options. Key Takeaway Seek moral clarity beyond binary choices. Themes morality choice conflict hope Mood thoughtful hopeful Type fictional ethical When to use this quote - political decision - personal dilemma - fictional plot Key Concepts ethical dilemmas good vs. evil decision making Questions to Reflect On - What would a world without forced evil choices look like? - Can true goodness exist without compromise? A Different Perspective Not all situations offer a clear lesser evil. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being nice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-nice/) [Choose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choose/) [Choose Evils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choose-evils-3240996/) [Choose Lesser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choose-lesser-1933232/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Evils Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evils-just-4175101/) [Lesser Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lesser-good-353549/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [Nice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nice/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) ## Related quotes > [The most painful moral struggles are not those between good and evil, but between the good and the lesser good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-grizzuti-harrison/the-most-painful-moral-struggles-are-not-those-between-good-and-evil/) [Barbara Grizzuti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-grizzuti-harrison/) > [Of two evils, I always choose the lesser.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-stratton-porter/of-two-evils-i-always-choose-the-lesser/) [Gene Stratton-Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-stratton-porter/) > [But you don't do it. Because guys like us, Red, we know there's a third choice. An alternative to staying simon-pure or bathing in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/but-you-don-t-do-it-because-guys-like-us-red-we-know-there-s-a-third/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [Whoever lives among many evils just as I, how can dying not be a source of gain?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/whoever-lives-among-many-evils-just-as-i-how-can-dying-not-be-a/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [One who condones evils is just as guilty as the one who perpetrates it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/one-who-condones-evils-is-just-as-guilty-as-the-one-who-perpetrates-it/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/if-you-must-choose-between-two-evils-pick-the-one-you-ve-never-tried/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [One has got to choose between the two evils, also between the lesser of the two evils in the matter of food, and therefore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morarji-desai/one-has-got-to-choose-between-the-two-evils-also-between-the-lesser/) [Morarji Desai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morarji-desai/) > [To prefer evil to good is not in human nature; and when a man is compelled to choose one of two evils, no one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/to-prefer-evil-to-good-is-not-in-human-nature-and-when-a-man-is/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [In the real world in which we live, you always have to choose between evils. And in choosing between evils, you have to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dershowitz/in-the-real-world-in-which-we-live-you-always-have-to-choose-between/) [Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/) > [If you have difficulties making a decision, choose the lesser of the two evils.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/if-you-have-difficulties-making-a-decision-choose-the-lesser-of-the/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [If you choose the lesser of two evils, you are still choosing evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/if-you-choose-the-lesser-of-two-evils-you-are-still-choosing-evil/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [When you choose the lesser of two evils, always remember that it is still an evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lerner/when-you-choose-the-lesser-of-two-evils-always-remember-that-it-is/) [Max Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lerner/) > [“Because guys like us, Red, we know there's a third choice. An alternative to staying simon-pure and bathing in the filth and the slime.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king-rita-hayworth-and-shawshank-redemption/because-guys-like-us-red-we-know-there-s-a-third-choice-an/) [Stephen King Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king-rita-hayworth-and-shawshank-redemption/) > [It is better to fall from the window than the roof; that is, of two evils, choose the lesser.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/it-is-better-to-fall-from-the-window-than-the-roof-that-is-of-two/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [It's pretty sad when you have to choose between the lesser of two evils.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-white/it-s-pretty-sad-when-you-have-to-choose-between-the-lesser-of-two/) [Meg White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-white/) ## More by Laurell K. Hamilton > [“Edward: I don't know whether to put my fingers in my ears and go la-la-la or find more of your guards so we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/edward-i-don-t-know-whether-to-put-my-fingers-in-my-ears-and-go-la-la/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [So many wonderful books to write, and not enough hours in the day. An embarrassment of riches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/so-many-wonderful-books-to-write-and-not-enough-hours-in-the-day-an/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Money doesn't spend in hell… The devil deals in a different coin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/money-doesn-t-spend-in-hell-the-devil-deals-in-a-different-coin/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [There comes a point when you either embrace who and what you are, or condemn yourself to be miserable all your days. Other people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/there-comes-a-point-when-you-either-embrace-who-and-what-you-are-or/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“I slowed, just a little, one to save energy, and one to let Russell catch up sooner. I took a big breath and prepared.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-slowed-just-a-little-one-to-save-energy-and-one-to-let-russell/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“It wasn't just my beast's hunger, but Jean-Claude's blood thirst and Richard's craving for flesh. It was all that and the ardeur running through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/it-wasn-t-just-my-beast-s-hunger-but-jean-claude-s-blood-thirst-and/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [I know that look, Blake. You are a drowning woman, and the only way out is down the aisle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-know-that-look-blake-you-are-a-drowning-woman-and-the-only-way-out/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“Just another day in my life. This was one of those days when I thought that maybe a new life, a different life, wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/just-another-day-in-my-life-this-was-one-of-those-days-when-i-thought/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“What is that old children’s rhyme, ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’? Anyone who says that doesn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/what-is-that-old-children-s-rhyme-sticks-and-stones-may-break-my/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [...you don't need ghosts to be haunted. Memory does that just fine without any supernatural help at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/you-don-t-need-ghosts-to-be-haunted-memory-does-that-just-fine/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [I hated missing the end of anything. I was always convinced that the bit I'd miss would be the best part.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-hated-missing-the-end-of-anything-i-was-always-convinced-that-the/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [He made a small sigh, as he swallowed the first blood, then his mouth closed over my earlobe, mouth working at the wound, tongue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/he-made-a-small-sigh-as-he-swallowed-the-first-blood-then-his-mouth/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [He gave a small nod, and I smiled back, and that was it. He understood that I'd understood that he'd understood. It took us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/he-gave-a-small-nod-and-i-smiled-back-and-that-was-it-he-understood/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [ \[T\]hese last few days where I've moped around damn near depressed for real, because of people who do not exist. Not really. I can… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/t-hese-last-few-days-where-i-ve-moped-around-damn-near-depressed-for/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) [Explore all 921 Laurell K. Hamilton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) ## More Being nice quotes > [Business school graduates from the best schools earn large salaries and frequently rise to positions of great power. It would be nice if they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/business-school-graduates-from-the-best-schools-earn-large-salaries/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Good people are found not changed. Recently I read a headline that said, 'We don't teach people to be nice. We simply hire nice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/good-people-are-found-not-changed-recently-i-read-a-headline-that/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [What is needed, however, isn't just that people working together be nice to each other. It is discipline. Discipline is hard--harder than trustworthiness and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atul-gawande/what-is-needed-however-isn-t-just-that-people-working-together-be/) [Atul Gawande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atul-gawande/) > [I think there's a lot of scope in broadening the way videogames approach depictions of masculinity, which is still extremely narrow in scope. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-druckmann/i-think-there-s-a-lot-of-scope-in-broadening-the-way-videogames/) [Neil Druckmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-druckmann/) > [He put his arms around her. “Well, in my defense, then, whatever I did seemed to work, didn't it?” She sighed. “I suppose.” “You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/he-put-his-arms-around-her-well-in-my-defense-then-whatever-i-did/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [Somewhere where people aren't so mad would be nice, but I don't know if there is anywhere like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-smith/somewhere-where-people-aren-t-so-mad-would-be-nice-but-i-don-t-know/) [Elliott Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-smith/) > [Most of the people I know who were raised to be accommodating or were raised to just be nice and put everybody's needs ahead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-chbosky/most-of-the-people-i-know-who-were-raised-to-be-accommodating-or-were/) [Stephen Chbosky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-chbosky/) > [“When we are nice to others, we generally lose all claim to their respect.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/when-we-are-nice-to-others-we-generally-lose-all-claim-to-their/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) > [Being nice from now on, leaving the old BS where it's at.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-nice-from-now-on-leaving-the-old-bs-where-it-s-at/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can see that I imagine all kinds of rejection that never happens. I can see that I beg and plead for love that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wurtzel/i-can-see-that-i-imagine-all-kinds-of-rejection-that-never-happens-i/) [Elizabeth Wurtzel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wurtzel/) > [I think music is better listened to with other people. Music is better shared. It depends what situation you're in - if it's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-odell/i-think-music-is-better-listened-to-with-other-people-music-is-better/) [Tom Odell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-odell/) > [Everybody wants to be good, but not many are prepared to make the sacrifices it takes to be great. To many people, being nice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-arden/everybody-wants-to-be-good-but-not-many-are-prepared-to-make-the-2/) [Paul Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-arden/) > [Give me a mirror.Or holy water. I'll drink it,even!" I gasped as someone threw water on the side of my face. "A little warning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/give-me-a-mirror-or-holy-water-i-ll-drink-it-even-i-gasped-as-someone/) [Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/) > [What inspired me as a child is the same thing that inspires me now: being nice. I always try to one up everybody with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joell-ortiz/what-inspired-me-as-a-child-is-the-same-thing-that-inspires-me-now/) [Joell Ortiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joell-ortiz/) > [My ex-wife was trying to be nice once, so she took me to a concert in Los Angeles. I went with her to Symphony…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-b-king/my-ex-wife-was-trying-to-be-nice-once-so-she-took-me-to-a-concert-in/) [B. B. King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-b-king/) [Browse all 659 Being nice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-nice/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Still it might be nice, once in a while, not to have to choose between evils. Just once, couldn't I choose the lesser good?", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laurell K. 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