--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't believe that pure evil exists…" description: "\"I don't believe that pure evil exists, personally.\" — Penn Badgley" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27e/penn-badgley-23799_believe_i-don-t-believe-that-pure-evil-exists-pe_1558502.jpg" --- # I don't believe that pure evil exists, personally. ![“I don't believe that pure evil exists, personally.” quote by Penn Badgley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27e/penn-badgley-23799_believe_i-don-t-believe-that-pure-evil-exists-pe_1558502.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27e/penn-badgley-23799_believe_i-don-t-believe-that-pure-evil-exists-pe_1558502.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27e/penn-badgley-23799_believe_i-don-t-believe-that-pure-evil-exists-pe_1558502.jpg) > “I don't believe that pure evil exists, personally.” [Penn Badgley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-badgley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker doubts the existence of absolute evil, implying a nuanced moral view. **In simple terms:** Pure evil may not exist. Key Takeaway Consider moral complexity. Themes ethics philosophy human nature Mood thoughtful neutral Type philosophical psychological When to use this quote - counseling - conflict resolution - education Key Concepts Moral relativism psychology of good and evil Questions to Reflect On - What defines evil in your view? - How do we address harmful behavior? A Different Perspective Some actions still cause harm regardless. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Evil Exists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil-exists/) [Pure evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pure-evil/) ## Related quotes > [I know myself too well to believe in pure virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/i-know-myself-too-well-to-believe-in-pure-virtue/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [I believe in pure jiu-jitsu. That's what I've done in the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/i-believe-in-pure-jiu-jitsu-that-s-what-i-ve-done-in-the-past/) [Royce Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/) > [The fact that evil exists in the world bothers me. I think that people do terrible things for ideological or political reasons. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-munoz-molina/the-fact-that-evil-exists-in-the-world-bothers-me-i-think-that-people/) [Antonio Munoz Molina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-munoz-molina/) > [Evil exists. Evil is real. One of the hallmarks of evil is that it seeks to convince its victims that it exists 'out there.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ortberg/evil-exists-evil-is-real-one-of-the-hallmarks-of-evil-is-that-it/) [John Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ortberg/) > [Evil exists in us all, Torak. Some fight it. Some feed it. That's how it's always been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-paver/evil-exists-in-us-all-torak-some-fight-it-some-feed-it-that-s-how-it/) [Michelle Paver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-paver/) > [There are people in our world today and unfortunately in our political system, they do not believe in evil. They have the modern, western,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-c-rosenberg/there-are-people-in-our-world-today-and-unfortunately-in-our/) [Joel C. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-c-rosenberg/) > [“Evil exists only in the hearts of men.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-rathbone/evil-exists-only-in-the-hearts-of-men/) [Brian Rathbone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-rathbone/) > [Before you condemn me my friends, I suggest you look deep inside you. For good and evil exists in us all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-davies/before-you-condemn-me-my-friends-i-suggest-you-look-deep-inside-you/) [Ray Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-davies/) > [“Evil exists," he says, not flinching at the word. "I believe that what the rich have done to the poor people in this city…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-kozol/evil-exists-he-says-not-flinching-at-the-word-i-believe-that-what-the/) [Jonathan Kozol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-kozol/) > [Good and Evil are very hard to explain or understand. I'm sure that evil exists, but it is hard to isolate. Good and evil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-haring/good-and-evil-are-very-hard-to-explain-or-understand-i-m-sure-that/) [Keith Haring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-haring/) > [The question of why evil exists is not a theological question, for it assumes that it is possible to go behind the existence forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/the-question-of-why-evil-exists-is-not-a-theological-question-for-it/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [The ability to choose is at the essential core of our grandeur. Even evil exists because God respects our ability to choose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/the-ability-to-choose-is-at-the-essential-core-of-our-grandeur-even/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [“The intellectual climate of the 1970s, for which the 1950s had already paved the way, contributed to this. A theory was even finally developed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/the-intellectual-climate-of-the-1970s-for-which-the-1950s-had-already/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [People are just afraid of things too much … Sure, evil exists, extremism exists. Somebody could commit a hate crime and hurt me. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-ocean/people-are-just-afraid-of-things-too-much-sure-evil-exists-extremism/) [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) > [“Sometimes I think it's only post-scarcity that evil exists. Before that, it could always be put down to want or fear. It was possible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-stanley-robinson/sometimes-i-think-it-s-only-post-scarcity-that-evil-exists-before/) [Kim Stanley Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-stanley-robinson/) ## More by Penn Badgley > [I've been on over 1000 auditions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-badgley/i-ve-been-on-over-1000-auditions/) [Penn Badgley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-badgley/) > [In Iran, education is not a given at all. For decades, in fact, the Iranian government has been systematically depriving members of the Baha'i…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-badgley/in-iran-education-is-not-a-given-at-all-for-decades-in-fact-the/) [Penn Badgley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-badgley/) > [Because I came into fame so early on, I've never done that. I don't investigate through the Internet about people who I know in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-badgley/because-i-came-into-fame-so-early-on-i-ve-never-done-that-i-don-t/) [Penn Badgley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-badgley/) > [I'm grounded, I can say that. I can say that. I am, and it's great. I don't know where it comes from. But I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-badgley/i-m-grounded-i-can-say-that-i-can-say-that-i-am-and-it-s-great-i-don/) [Penn Badgley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-badgley/) > [If God exists, then we are spiritual beings, and we have souls, and we are noble inherently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-badgley/if-god-exists-then-we-are-spiritual-beings-and-we-have-souls-and-we/) [Penn Badgley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-badgley/) > [The phenomenon of fame is literally invisible, but it influences and dominates your life if you aren't careful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-badgley/the-phenomenon-of-fame-is-literally-invisible-but-it-influences-and/) [Penn Badgley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-badgley/) > [All the little things you nitpick in your head, nobody really cares that much outside your head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-badgley/all-the-little-things-you-nitpick-in-your-head-nobody-really-cares/) [Penn Badgley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-badgley/) > [If there's anything the name #MeToo calls to us, it's that there's a lot more dimension to the equality of men and women and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-badgley/if-there-s-anything-the-name-metoo-calls-to-us-it-s-that-there-s-a/) [Penn Badgley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-badgley/) > [Gossip Girl' was a great opportunity, but it would be misleading to think that anyone on that show doesn't have anything more to offer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-badgley/gossip-girl-was-a-great-opportunity-but-it-would-be-misleading-to/) [Penn Badgley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-badgley/) > [When you're making a show or a movie, there are a million people and things in your way. As an actor, you're like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-badgley/when-you-re-making-a-show-or-a-movie-there-are-a-million-people-and/) [Penn Badgley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-badgley/) > [A lot of actors like saying, 'Don't judge a character; you might fall in love with him!' Not me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-badgley/a-lot-of-actors-like-saying-don-t-judge-a-character-you-might-fall-in/) [Penn Badgley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-badgley/) > [If you look to any of our art, whether it's music, television, movies, art, anything - we seem to be really looking for love,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-badgley/if-you-look-to-any-of-our-art-whether-it-s-music-television-movies/) [Penn Badgley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-badgley/) > [I know this might sound absurd, but since I've been famous, I believe I've only been on two dates that would be considered a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-badgley/i-know-this-might-sound-absurd-but-since-i-ve-been-famous-i-believe-i/) [Penn Badgley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-badgley/) > [Money is... I'm very conscious of it because I have it. It's powerful, man. It can change you ever so slightly, ever so slowly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-badgley/money-is-i-m-very-conscious-of-it-because-i-have-it-it-s-powerful-man/) [Penn Badgley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-badgley/) > [I absolutely appreciate the opportunity it's been. I wouldn't be here without 'Gossip Girl,' so I will always be in debt and grateful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-badgley/i-absolutely-appreciate-the-opportunity-it-s-been-i-wouldn-t-be-here/) [Penn Badgley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-badgley/) [Explore all 25 Penn Badgley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-badgley/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I don't believe that pure evil exists, personally.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Penn Badgley" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-badgley/i-don-t-believe-that-pure-evil-exists-personally/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Believe" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-badgley/i-don-t-believe-that-pure-evil-exists-personally/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27e/penn-badgley-23799_believe_i-don-t-believe-that-pure-evil-exists-pe_1558502.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27e/penn-badgley-23799_believe_i-don-t-believe-that-pure-evil-exists-pe_1558502.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27e/penn-badgley-23799_believe_i-don-t-believe-that-pure-evil-exists-pe_1558502.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I don't believe that pure evil exists, personally.” — Penn Badgley", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Penn Badgley", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-badgley/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I don't believe that pure evil...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-badgley/i-don-t-believe-that-pure-evil-exists-personally/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-badgley/i-don-t-believe-that-pure-evil-exists-personally/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```