Accomplished Quote by Reinhold Niebuhr
“Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore, we are saved by love. No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as it is from our own standpoint. Therefore we must be saved by the final form of love, which is forgiveness.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Moral Man and Immoral Society, Reinhold Niebuhr, 1932
Human actions, even when morally good, need communal support; love and forgiveness are essential for true fulfillment.
In simple terms: Good deeds need help; love and forgiveness complete them.
Key Takeaway
Seek forgiveness and love to sustain virtue.
Themes
community
forgiveness
humility
ethics
Mood
reflective
hopeful
serious
Type
ethical
theological
inspirational
When to use this quote
- family relationships
- workplace teamwork
- conflict resolution
- spiritual counseling
Key Concepts
social interdependence
theology
moral philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does love change the value of a good act?
- When is forgiveness impossible?
A Different Perspective
Forgiveness may be difficult when betrayal is deep.
![“[U]nless oppressed groups stick together, and on alliances of self interest rather than do-goodism; nothing can be accomplished in the long run to dismantle the apparatus of oppression.” quote by Shulamith Firestone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d7b/shulamith-firestone-12980_accomplished_u-nless-oppressed-groups-stick-together_5485.jpg)
