Character Quote by Lev Shestov
““Moral people are the most revengeful of mankind, they employ their morality as the best and most subtle weapon of vengeance. They are not satisfied with simply despising and condemning their neighbour themselves, they want the condemnation to be universal and supreme: that is, that all men should rise as one against the condemned, and that even the offender's own conscience shall be against him. Then only are they fully satisfied and reassured. Nothing on earth but morality could lead to such wonderful results.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Philosophy of Morality, Lev Shestov, 1915
Moral individuals weapon use their ethics as a subtle weapon of vengeance, seeking universal condemnation of the offender to satisfy their own desire for retribution.
In simple terms: Moral people can weaponize ethics for revenge.
Key Takeaway
Beware of using morality to justify personal vengeance.
Themes
ethics
revenge
psychology
Mood
critical
cautionary
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- legal judgments
- public shaming
- political rhetoric
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
social dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- When does moral criticism cross into revenge?
- How can societies prevent moral weapons from being misused?
A Different Perspective
Moral condemnation can become a tool for personal vendetta.
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