Chiefs Quote by Reinhold Niebuhr
“The chief source of man's inhumanity to man seems to be the tribal limits of his sense of obligation to other men.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Moral Man and Immoral Society, Reinhold Niebuhr, 1932
Human cruelty often stems from limited empathy confined to one's own group.
In simple terms: Tribal loyalty blinds us to broader moral duties.
Expand empathy beyond immediate circles.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- community service
- global humanitarian work
- diverse teamwork
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies foster broader obligations?
- What policies encourage cross‑group empathy?
Overcoming deep‑seated biases is challenging and slow.