Evil Quote by Livy
“The best known evil is the most tolerable.”
About This Quote
Source Historical Text: Ab Urbe Condita, Book 1, 27 BC
Widely accepted evil becomes normalized and easier to endure.
In simple terms: Common evil feels tolerable.
Key Takeaway
Question accepted norms.
Themes
morality
social tolerance
evil
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political policies
- cultural practices
- media narratives
Key Concepts
historical complacency
ethical relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- What “evil” do we overlook today?
- How can we resist normalization?
A Different Perspective
Some evils remain harmful despite acceptance.
![“Keep what you have got; the known evil is best. [Lat., Habeas ut nactus; nota mala res optima est.]” quote by Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/87f/plautus-1263_contentment_keep-what-you-have-got-the-known-evil-is_2228807.jpg)
![“[Rhodian delegation:] Every city contains wicked citizens from time to time and an ignorant populace all the time.” quote by Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5d7/livy-3007_time_rhodian-delegation-every-city-contains-w_191084.jpg)
![“Evil cannot be "treated" -- nor should it be. Evil has to [be] confronted and destroyed and it matters not why the evil is in play. Society has no obligation to try to rehabilitate evil.” quote by Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b89/bill-o-reilly-1019_destroyed_evil-cannot-be-treated-nor-should-it-be_3597.jpg)
