Action Quote by Robert Green Ingersoll
“It cannot be said too often that actions are good or bad in the light of consequences, and that a clear perception of consequences would control actions. That which increases the sum of human happiness is moral; and that which diminishes the sum of human happiness is immoral. . . . Blind, unreasoning obedience is the enemy of morality.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Moral Philosophy Lecture, 1885, public address, 1885
The quote argues that actions should be judged by their outcomes on overall happiness, and that blind obedience undermines true morality
In simple terms: Morality is based on consequences for human happiness, not on unthinking compliance
Key Takeaway
Consider the consequences of actions before obeying authority
Themes
ethics
consequentialism
human welfare
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- policy making
- personal decision making
- education curricula
- legal judgments
Key Concepts
utilitarianism
autonomy
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What harms might arise from focusing solely on happiness?
- How can we balance outcome‑based judgments with principled stands?
A Different Perspective
Consequentialist ethics can overlook rights and justice in some cases
![“[The church] is in its major part an opponent still of progress and improvement in all the ways that diminish suffering in the world, because it has chosen to label as morality a certain narrow set of rules of conduct which have nothing to do with human happiness; and when you say that this or…” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bb2/bertrand-russell-69_certain_the-church-is-in-its-major-part-an-oppon_1591489.jpg)
