Chosen Quote by Thomas a Kempis
“Out of two evils, the less is always to be chosen.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis, 1418
When faced with two undesirable options, one should choose the lesser evil, aiming to minimize harm.
In simple terms: Choose the lesser of two evils.
Key Takeaway
Select the option that causes less harm.
Themes
ethics
decision‑making
morality
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- legal dilemmas
- personal conflicts
- business choices
- environmental policies
Key Concepts
Virtue ethics
practical wisdom
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you evaluate which evil is lesser?
- What criteria guide your decision?
A Different Perspective
Sometimes the “lesser” choice still causes significant harm.
![“[In science any model depends on a pre-chosen taxonomy] a set of classifications into which we divide the enormous complexity of the real world... Land, labor, and capital are extremely heterogeneous aggregates, not much better than earth, air, fire, and water.” quote by Kenneth E. Boulding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/47e/kenneth-e-boulding-3728_air_in-science-any-model-depends-on-a-pre-ch_12383.jpg)
