Admirable Quote by Simon Blackburn
“There are normal times when it is wholly admirable to be steadfast, resolute, unconflicted, and therefore when integrity is unmistakenly a virtue. The person of integrity knows what to do, and does it. But as we have been exploring, there are also times when certainty and single-mindedness indicate something less admirable: a deafness to voices that should be heard or a blindness to aspects of a situation that need to be considered.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Rethinking Virtue Ethics, Simon Blackburn, 2005
Integrity is valuable but can become rigidity, ignoring other perspectives and necessary nuance.
In simple terms: Integrity can become stubbornness if it blocks other voices.
Balance conviction with openness to new ideas.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- leadership
- teamwork
- conflict resolution
- personal growth
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you ignored a dissenting view?
- How can you stay true to values while staying receptive?
Overconfidence may blind one to critical feedback.