--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What is better - to be born good, or to…" description: "\"What is better - to be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort? -Paarthurnox\" — Skyrim" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/341/skyrim-31941_nature_what-is-better-to-be-born-good-or-to-ove_2249377.jpg" --- # What is better - to be born good, or to overcome your evil… ![“What is better - to be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort? -Paarthurnox” quote by Skyrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/341/skyrim-31941_nature_what-is-better-to-be-born-good-or-to-ove_2249377.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/341/skyrim-31941_nature_what-is-better-to-be-born-good-or-to-ove_2249377.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/341/skyrim-31941_nature_what-is-better-to-be-born-good-or-to-ove_2249377.jpg) > “What is better - to be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort? -Paarthurnox” Skyrim ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Debates innate goodness versus moral development through effort. **In simple terms:** Are we born good or become good through struggle? Key Takeaway Consider personal growth versus innate traits. Themes ethics philosophy character development free will Mood contemplative philosophical Type ethical literary When to use this quote - role‑playing - personal reflection - storytelling Key Concepts nature vs nurture effort morality self‑improvement Questions to Reflect On - Do you believe effort can change fundamental nature? - Can virtue be taught? A Different Perspective Character development may be limited by game mechanics. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) ## Related quotes > [“what is better, to be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paarthurnax-skyrim/what-is-better-to-be-born-good-or-to-overcome-your-evil-nature/) Paarthurnax skyrim > [Have a good physical outlet of some sport or exercise. Overcome evil with good. You can overcome many evil inclinations through good physical exertion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/have-a-good-physical-outlet-of-some-sport-or-exercise-overcome-evil/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [When healers yearn to kill then hope begins to die ... 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My grandson is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-banks/if-you-are-born-black-it-is-better-to-be-born-now-than-in-any-other/) [Russell Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-banks/) > [Sleep is lovely, death is better still, not to have been born is of course the miracle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinrich-heine/sleep-is-lovely-death-is-better-still-not-to-have-been-born-is-of/) [Heinrich Heine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinrich-heine/) > [Patriotism is being convinced your country is better because you were born in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-m-appel/patriotism-is-being-convinced-your-country-is-better-because-you-were/) [Jacob M. 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I know I can get better, and I will get better, but it's something I was born with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-giovinco/i-got-my-ball-handling-skills-naturally-i-know-i-can-get-better-and-i/) [Sebastian Giovinco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-giovinco/) > [True goodness springs from a man's own heart. All men are born good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/true-goodness-springs-from-a-man-s-own-heart-all-men-are-born-good/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) ## More by Skyrim > [I faced him fearlessly, my fate inescapable, yet my honor unstained.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skyrim/i-faced-him-fearlessly-my-fate-inescapable-yet-my-honor-unstained/) Skyrim > [There is a place for me here, even if it is not the place I long for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skyrim/there-is-a-place-for-me-here-even-if-it-is-not-the-place-i-long-for/) Skyrim > [The world is full of such tales of fate and coincidence, for that's what we burn into our memories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skyrim/the-world-is-full-of-such-tales-of-fate-and-coincidence-for-that-s/) Skyrim > [Once and always a part of history, Long remembered warriors be, Distant thunders echoes of the past, Through our voices forever to last, So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skyrim/once-and-always-a-part-of-history-long-remembered-warriors-be-distant/) Skyrim > [But even the death of a stranger seems like something worth mourning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skyrim/but-even-the-death-of-a-stranger-seems-like-something-worth-mourning/) Skyrim > [Dovahkiin, Dovahkiin Naal ok zin los vahriin Wah dein vokul mahfaeraak ahst vaal Ahrk fin norok paal graan Fod nust hon zindro zaan Dovahkiin,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skyrim/dovahkiin-dovahkiin-naal-ok-zin-los-vahriin-wah-dein-vokul-mahfaeraak/) Skyrim > [Let this place be forgotten forever. Let it be struck from the rolls of history. Let it never be spoke by man or mer.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skyrim/let-this-place-be-forgotten-forever-let-it-be-struck-from-the-rolls/) Skyrim > [You're either the bravest person I've ever met, or the biggest fool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skyrim/you-re-either-the-bravest-person-i-ve-ever-met-or-the-biggest-fool/) SKyrim > [You're preoccupied with your own mortality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skyrim/you-re-preoccupied-with-your-own-mortality/) Skyrim > [All he holds in his heart is lust for the throne.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skyrim/all-he-holds-in-his-heart-is-lust-for-the-throne/) Skyrim > [“I used to be an adventuer like you, until i took an arrow to the knee”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skyrim/i-used-to-be-an-adventuer-like-you-until-i-took-an-arrow-to-the-knee/) Skyrim > [Even we, who ride the currents of time, cannot see past time's end. -Paarthurna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skyrim/even-we-who-ride-the-currents-of-time-cannot-see-past-time-s-end/) Skyrim > [Kruziik Ahkrin Haalvut Lok Oblaan Qostiid Rein Norok Briinah Bruniik Sahrot Vahdin Zeymah Mul Kendov Kri (((Dragon Language)))](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skyrim/kruziik-ahkrin-haalvut-lok-oblaan-qostiid-rein-norok-briinah-bruniik/) Skyrim > [The things that bring us life could also bring us death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skyrim/the-things-that-bring-us-life-could-also-bring-us-death/) Skyrim > [What's the point in being miserable all time? Sometimes life puts you in difficult circumstances you didn't choose. But being happy or unhappy is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skyrim/what-s-the-point-in-being-miserable-all-time-sometimes-life-puts-you/) Skyrim Explore all 16 Skyrim quotes ## More Evil quotes > [I've always been fascinated by the idea that there's no such thing as evil; it's all in your point of view. To one group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-roth/i-ve-always-been-fascinated-by-the-idea-that-there-s-no-such-thing-as/) [Eli Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-roth/) > [If ever I did a man any goodof course it was something exceptional and insignificant compared with the good or evil which I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/if-ever-i-did-a-man-any-goodof-course-it-was-something-exceptional/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [I do conscientiously and sincerely believe that the Order of Freemasonry, if not the greatest, is one of the greatest moral and political evils…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/i-do-conscientiously-and-sincerely-believe-that-the-order-of/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [The Republicans do not look on the Democrats as the evil empire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/the-republicans-do-not-look-on-the-democrats-as-the-evil-empire/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [What is done out of love always takes place beyond good and evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-is-done-out-of-love-always-takes-place-beyond-good-and-evil/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ Evil cannot be "treated" -- nor should it be. Evil has to \[be\] confronted and destroyed and it matters not why the evil is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/evil-cannot-be-treated-nor-should-it-be-evil-has-to-be-confronted-and/) [Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/) > [The evil which does me no harm is like the good which in no wise avails me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/the-evil-which-does-me-no-harm-is-like-the-good-which-in-no-wise/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/attack-the-evil-that-is-within-yourself-rather-than-attacking-the/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Somewhere somebody must have some sense. Men must see that force begets force, hate begets hate, toughness begets toughness. And it is all a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/somewhere-somebody-must-have-some-sense-men-must-see-that-force/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [There is a spirit which I feel that delights to do no evil, nor to revenge any wrong, but delights to endure all things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nayler/there-is-a-spirit-which-i-feel-that-delights-to-do-no-evil-nor-to/) James Nayler > [The politician attempts to remedy the evil by increasing the very thing that caused the evil in the first place: legal plunder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/the-politician-attempts-to-remedy-the-evil-by-increasing-the-very/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [“Water is so friendly when you have it on your palms, but so evil when they have you on theirs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/water-is-so-friendly-when-you-have-it-on-your-palms-but-so-evil-when/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [THE ART OF PEACE is not easy. It is a fight to the finish, the slaying of evil desires and all falsehood within. On…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morihei-ueshiba/the-art-of-peace-is-not-easy-it-is-a-fight-to-the-finish-the-slaying/) [Morihei Ueshiba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morihei-ueshiba/) [Browse all 11,163 Evil quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What is better - to be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort? -Paarthurnox", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Skyrim" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skyrim/what-is-better-to-be-born-good-or-to-overcome-your-evil-nature-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Evil" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skyrim/what-is-better-to-be-born-good-or-to-overcome-your-evil-nature-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/341/skyrim-31941_nature_what-is-better-to-be-born-good-or-to-ove_2249377.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/341/skyrim-31941_nature_what-is-better-to-be-born-good-or-to-ove_2249377.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/341/skyrim-31941_nature_what-is-better-to-be-born-good-or-to-ove_2249377.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What is better - to be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort? -Paarthurnox” — Skyrim", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Skyrim", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skyrim/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What is better - to be...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skyrim/what-is-better-to-be-born-good-or-to-overcome-your-evil-nature-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skyrim/what-is-better-to-be-born-good-or-to-overcome-your-evil-nature-2/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```