Average Quote by Michael Josephson
“Some jobs require a more consistent challenge to moral courage than others. Politics is one. In such a setting terrifically good men and women will still be found wanting occasionally. No one does the right thing all the time. It would be more generous and fair to consider their batting average than to judge them only by their last worst act.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Book of Virtues by William J. Bennett, 1990
People’s moral courage varies; judging by a single failure ignores overall character and fairness.
In simple terms: Judge character by overall behavior, not one mistake.
Key Takeaway
Consider overall track record, not isolated errors.
Themes
ethics
leadership
fairness
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- political decisions
- workplace ethics
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
moral courage
judgment
character assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance occasional failures with overall integrity?
- What metrics could fairly assess moral performance?
A Different Perspective
A single act can dominate perception despite many good deeds.
