Desire for power Quote by Maryrose Wood
““You flesh bodies are so obsessed with goodness, yet no other form of life on earth is capable of such cruelty. You need only convince yourselves your transgressions serve some 'purpose.' Even if it is only greed, or lust, or the raw desire for power that drives you. You will spill the blood of your kinsmen, lay waste to the earth itself, wreak havoc, and cause unspeakable suffering---any and all sins are justified, as long as they are a means to your precous, righteous 'purpose'.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Darker Side of Humanity by Maryrose Wood, 2020
The quote argues that humans rationalize cruelty by cloaking it in a perceived higher purpose, allowing any atrocity to be justified if it serves self‑interest or a twisted moral agenda.
In simple terms: People justify cruelty by claiming a higher purpose.
Key Takeaway
Question motives behind actions claimed as righteous.
Themes
morality
justification
power
psychology
Mood
critical
skeptical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
warning
When to use this quote
- leadership decisions
- military actions
- corporate policies
- personal ethics
Key Concepts
ethical relativism
self‑deception
political propaganda
Questions to Reflect On
- What purposes do you accept without scrutiny?
- When does a 'good' purpose become harmful?
A Different Perspective
Justifications can be self‑deceptive, but recognizing them is difficult.
