Decency Quote by Stefan Themerson
“The only goal is the decency of means.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Ethics of Means, 1965
The quote stresses that the morality of actions matters more than the outcomes they achieve.
In simple terms: Ethical means are more important than goals.
Key Takeaway
Choose methods that align with moral principles.
Themes
ethics
integrity
means vs ends
philosophy
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal decision making
- business practices
- political activism
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
ethical consistency
integrity in action
Questions to Reflect On
- What are examples where ethical means conflict with desired ends?
- Can ethical means always achieve desired outcomes?
A Different Perspective
Focusing solely on means may ignore necessary pragmatic compromises.
![“I am not a member of the chamber of commerce for show business, believe me, but there are some really good people in the business, and [Tom] Hanks has this everyman decency onscreen, but he actually is that guy.” quote by Kurt Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b01/kurt-fuller-12139_believe_i-am-not-a-member-of-the-chamber-of-comm_68948.jpg)