Character Quote by Robert Briffault
“The hell of human suffering, evil and oppression is paved with good intentions. The men who have most injured and oppressed humanity, who have most deeply sinned against it, were according to their standards and their conscience good men; what was bad in them, what wrought moral evil and cruelty, treason to truth and progress, was not at all in their intentions, in their purpose, in their personal character, but in their opinions.”
About This Quote
Good intentions can mask harmful outcomes when actions are guided by flawed beliefs, leading to suffering despite moral aims.
In simple terms: Good intentions may still cause evil if based on wrong beliefs.
Key Takeaway
Question underlying assumptions behind actions.
Themes
ethics
intentions
consequences
morality
human suffering
Mood
critical
cautious
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- political policy
- social movements
- organizational decisions
- personal relationships
- historical events
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
cognitive bias
social responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- What beliefs justify harmful actions?
- How can good intentions be aligned with positive results?
A Different Perspective
Intentions alone cannot justify harmful impacts; outcomes matter.
![“The notion that evil is non-rational is a more significant claim for Eagleton than at first appears, because he is (in this book [ On Evil ] as in others of his recent 'late period' prolific burst) anxious to rewrite theology: God (whom he elsewhere tells us is nonexistent, but this is no barrier…” quote by A.C. Grayling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6a5/a-c-grayling-9398_atheism_the-notion-that-evil-is-non-rational-is_599668.jpg)
