Evil Quote by Robert McNamara
“I think the human race needs to think more about killing. How much evil must we do in order to do good?”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Press Conference, Robert McNamara, 1968
He questions the moral paradox of using harmful means to achieve noble ends, urging reflection on the cost of violence.
In simple terms: Violence may be used to achieve good, but it raises moral doubts.
Weigh the ethics of means versus ends.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy decisions
- military interventions
- humanitarian aid
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it ever justified to cause harm for a greater good?
- How do we measure the balance of evil and good?
The answer may differ across cultures and contexts, making universal judgment hard.