Ambivalence Quote by Reinhold Niebuhr
“I think that when we believe that something is right, there's a serious ambivalence about it. On one hand, you say, because it's right, it must be victorious. On the other hand, you say, it's right whether it's victorious or not. And this is what I believe about a free society.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Moral Man and Immoral Society, 1932
Believing something is right creates tension between moral victory and practical success in a free society.
In simple terms: Rightness can conflict with winning.
Key Takeaway
Balance ideals with realistic outcomes.
Themes
ethics
politics
freedom
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- policy making
- activism
- public discourse
- education reform
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
societal structures
Questions to Reflect On
- When should compromise be accepted?
- How to reconcile moral goals with results?
A Different Perspective
Idealism may hinder pragmatic solutions.
