Forgettable Quote by Steven Pinker
“People consider the harms they inflict to be justified and forgettable, and the harms they suffer to be unprovoked and grievous.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Better Angels of Our Nature, 2011
People rationalize their own harmful actions while seeing victims’ suffering as unjustified, revealing bias.
In simple terms: We excuse our harms, blame others.
Key Takeaway
Question your moral narratives.
Themes
bias
morality
justice
psychology
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- media consumption
- interpersonal conflict
- social justice work
Key Concepts
cognitive dissonance
ethical relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- What harms do you rationalize?
- How do you view others’ suffering?
A Different Perspective
Self‑justification can blind us to our own wrongdoing.
