--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is wickedness in the intention of…" description: "\"There is wickedness in the intention of wickedness, even though it be not perpetrated in the act.\" — Marcus Tullius Cicero" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/281/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_inspirational_there-is-wickedness-in-the-intention-of_2242294.jpg" --- # There is wickedness in the intention of wickedness, even… ![“There is wickedness in the intention of wickedness, even though it be not perpetrated in the act.” quote by Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/281/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_inspirational_there-is-wickedness-in-the-intention-of_2242294.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/281/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_inspirational_there-is-wickedness-in-the-intention-of_2242294.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/281/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_inspirational_there-is-wickedness-in-the-intention-of_2242294.jpg) > “There is wickedness in the intention of wickedness, even though it be not perpetrated in the act.” [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It warns that malicious intent is harmful even without action, emphasizing the moral weight of thoughts. **In simple terms:** Bad intentions are harmful even if not acted upon. Key Takeaway Guard your thoughts as carefully as actions. Themes ethics intention morality Mood thoughtful serious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - political decisions - personal relationships - legal judgments Key Concepts philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you handle harmful thoughts? - Can intentions be measured? A Different Perspective Intentions alone may not be punishable, limiting practical enforcement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Intention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intention/) [Intention Wickedness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intention-wickedness-5088568/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Perpetrated Act](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perpetrated-act-5088569/) [Wickedness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wickedness/) [Wickedness Intention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wickedness-intention-5088567/) [Wickedness Perpetrated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wickedness-perpetrated-5088566/) ## Related quotes > [It is a man's own dishonesty, his crimes, his wickedness, and boldness, that takes away from him soundness of mind; these are the furies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/it-is-a-man-s-own-dishonesty-his-crimes-his-wickedness-and-boldness/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [But as the old Confusion of tongues was laudable, when men who were of one language in wickedness and impiety, even as some now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nazianzus/but-as-the-old-confusion-of-tongues-was-laudable-when-men-who-were-of/) [Gregory of Nazianzus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nazianzus/) > [The consciousness of good intention is the greatest solace of misfortunes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/the-consciousness-of-good-intention-is-the-greatest-solace-of/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [ Listen to these words of \[apostle\] Paul: "We war not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, and the rulers of the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-farrakhan/listen-to-these-words-of-apostle-paul-we-war-not-against-flesh-and/) [Louis Farrakhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-farrakhan/) > [The evils of popular government appear greater than they are; there is compensation for them in spirit and energy it awakens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-evils-of-popular-government-appear-greater-than-they-are-there-is/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“He made a pit and digged it. 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