Avoid Quote by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
“The doing evil to avoid an evil cannot be good.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner", 1798
Moral compromise that seeks to prevent harm by causing harm is still unethical.
In simple terms: Doing bad to stop bad is still bad.
Key Takeaway
Avoid harming others even when trying to prevent harm.
Themes
ethics
morality
consequences
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- politics
- personal decisions
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
deontological ethics
utilitarianism
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it ever justified to cause harm to prevent greater harm?
- What alternatives exist to violent confrontation?
A Different Perspective
Even noble intentions can lead to immoral outcomes.
