Damage Quote by Thomas Huxley
“If every man possessed everything he wanted, and no one had the power to interfere with such possession; or if no man desired thatwhich could damage his fellow-man, justice would have no part to play in the universe.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Ethics of Possession”, 1865
If everyone got everything they wanted without harming others, justice would be unnecessary.
In simple terms: Universal fulfillment removes need for justice.
Key Takeaway
Consider the impact of desires on others.
Themes
ethics
justice
desire
society
Mood
thoughtful
philosophical
Type
ethical
theoretical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- resource allocation
- conflict resolution
- community planning
Key Concepts
utilitarianism
social contract
moral philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- Can all desires truly coexist peacefully?
- What limits should be placed on desire?
A Different Perspective
Assumes all desires are harmless and universally compatible.
![“Perhaps no order of mammals presents us with so extraordinary a series of gradations as this [step by step, from humans to apes to monkeys to lemurs] - leading us insensibly from the crown and summit of the animal creation down to creatures, from which there is but a step, as it seems, to the…” quote by Thomas Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f0b/thomas-huxley-1183_animal_perhaps-no-order-of-mammals-presents-us_3051.jpg)
