Evil Quote by Sophocles
“No one who errs unwillingly is evil.”
About This Quote
Source Play: Philoctetes, 409 BC
Unintentional mistakes do not make a person evil; intent matters in moral judgment.
In simple terms: Accidental errors aren't evil.
Key Takeaway
Judge actions by intent.
Themes
morality
intent
error
Mood
reflective
philosophical
Type
theatrical
ethical
When to use this quote
- legal decisions
- parenting
- leadership
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
ethical philosophy
human fallibility
justice
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you assess someone's intent?
- When is forgiveness appropriate for accidental harm?
A Different Perspective
Intent can be ambiguous, complicating judgments.
![“Evil cannot be "treated" -- nor should it be. Evil has to [be] confronted and destroyed and it matters not why the evil is in play. Society has no obligation to try to rehabilitate evil.” quote by Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b89/bill-o-reilly-1019_destroyed_evil-cannot-be-treated-nor-should-it-be_3597.jpg)
