Being true Quote by Richard Whately
“Nothing but the right can ever be expedient, since that can never be true expediency which would sacrifice a great good to a less.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Elements of Moral Philosophy, 1825
True expediency cannot justify sacrificing a greater good for a lesser one; moral integrity outweighs short‑term efficiency.
In simple terms: Never sacrifice a big good for a small one for efficiency.
Prioritize ethical outcomes over mere convenience.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy decisions
- business strategies
- personal choices
- legal judgments
- resource allocation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Can efficiency ever justify compromising core values?
- When should moral principles override expedient solutions?
Practical pressures often tempt compromise of higher values.