--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I know what those questions are: excuses…" description: "\"“I know what those questions are: excuses. Human reason can excuse any evil; that is why it's so important that we don't rely on it.”\" — Veronica Roth" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f0/veronica-roth-66_human-reason_i-know-what-those-questions-are-excuses_413903.png" --- # I know what those questions are: excuses. Human reason can… ![“I know what those questions are: excuses. Human reason can excuse any evil; that is why it's so important that we don't rely on it.” quote by Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f0/veronica-roth-66_human-reason_i-know-what-those-questions-are-excuses_413903.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f0/veronica-roth-66_human-reason_i-know-what-those-questions-are-excuses_413903.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f0/veronica-roth-66_human-reason_i-know-what-those-questions-are-excuses_413903.png) > ““I know what those questions are: excuses. Human reason can excuse any evil; that is why it's so important that we don't rely on it.”” [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human rationalizations often mask moral failings; we should not depend on reason alone for ethical guidance. **In simple terms:** Reason can excuse evil. Key Takeaway Seek moral clarity beyond just logic. Themes ethics human nature critical thinking Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - policy making - personal decisions - education curricula - leadership training Key Concepts moral philosophy psychology cognitive bias Questions to Reflect On - When have you relied on reason over empathy? - How can we balance logic with compassion? A Different Perspective Reason alone may not capture emotional or cultural dimensions of morality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Human reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-reason/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) ## Related quotes > [Human reason can excuse any evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/human-reason-can-excuse-any-evil/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Human reason can excuse any evil; that is why it's so important that we don't rely on it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/human-reason-can-excuse-any-evil-that-is-why-it-s-so-important-that/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Human reason can excuse any evil; that is why its so important that we dont rely on it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/human-reason-can-excuse-any-evil-that-is-why-its-so-important-that-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Genius does not excuse evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/genius-does-not-excuse-evil/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [We weed out the darnel from the corn and the unfit in war, but do not excuse evil men from the service of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antisthenes/we-weed-out-the-darnel-from-the-corn-and-the-unfit-in-war-but-do-not/) [Antisthenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antisthenes/) > [“There’s a big difference between a reason and an excuse. There’s a reason why Conner’s life was hard. And yours, too. But you never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-g-riddle/there-s-a-big-difference-between-a-reason-and-an-excuse-there-s-a/) [A.G. Riddle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-g-riddle/) > [If you are capable of making good pictures it's immoral not to do so, for whatever reason or excuse you might give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-wall/if-you-are-capable-of-making-good-pictures-it-s-immoral-not-to-do-so/) [Jeff Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-wall/) > [In the past I would give myself a reason to have an excuse. I wouldn't show up at the gym. I wouldn't do what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-arreola/in-the-past-i-would-give-myself-a-reason-to-have-an-excuse-i-wouldn-t/) [Chris Arreola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-arreola/) > [“My dear child...fault is an empty word. It is a coin with only one side. It is not a reason or an excuse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zilpha-keatley-snyder/my-dear-child-fault-is-an-empty-word-it-is-a-coin-with-only-one-side/) [Zilpha Keatley Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zilpha-keatley-snyder/) > [What you gave me was a reason. Not an excuse. Because there's sex, making love and fucking. And then there's you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iain-s-thomas-2/what-you-gave-me-was-a-reason-not-an-excuse-because-there-s-sex/) [Iain S Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iain-s-thomas-2/) > [“The one who causes trouble always have a reason and an excuse. The one who nitpicks about it eventually becomes the problem. Isn't that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-hyunsoo/the-one-who-causes-trouble-always-have-a-reason-and-an-excuse-the-one/) Lee Hyunsoo > [“Don’t try to prove to everybody that the reason why you can’t is that nobody could. It’s no excuse. You can break the tradition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/don-t-try-to-prove-to-everybody-that-the-reason-why-you-can-t-is-that/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [To deprecate human reason by saying that none of us is or can be omniscient is absurd, for it takes an impossible standard as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murray-rothbard/to-deprecate-human-reason-by-saying-that-none-of-us-is-or-can-be/) [Murray Rothbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murray-rothbard/) > [Catholicism is not ritualism; it may in the future be fighting some sort of superstitious and idolatrous exaggeration of ritual. Catholicism is not asceticism;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/catholicism-is-not-ritualism-it-may-in-the-future-be-fighting-some/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [The science of the church is neglected for the study of geometry, and they lose sight of Heaven while they are employed in measuring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/the-science-of-the-church-is-neglected-for-the-study-of-geometry-and/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) ## More by Veronica Roth > [How strange that something so simple could have been instrumental in my decision to ruin one of my most relationships and friendships, and damage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/how-strange-that-something-so-simple-could-have-been-instrumental-in/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“I was beginning to feel that I had finally found a place to stay, a place that was not so unstable or corrupt or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-was-beginning-to-feel-that-i-had-finally-found-a-place-to-stay-a/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“He acts so tough that he’s probably afraid of marshmallows and really bright sunrises or something. Overcompensating.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/he-acts-so-tough-that-he-s-probably-afraid-of-marshmallows-and-really/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [And is it selfish of me to crave victory, or is it brave?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/and-is-it-selfish-of-me-to-crave-victory-or-is-it-brave/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [You always look like someone's sucked the life right out of you when something fascinates you. -Tris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/you-always-look-like-someone-s-sucked-the-life-right-out-of-you-when/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“We can be mended. We mend each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/we-can-be-mended-we-mend-each-other/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Don’t worry about me handling the pain," I say. 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I feel like it should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/am-aware-of-how-little-space-there-is-between-us-six-inches-at-most/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“Oh, good,” I say, a sour taste in my mouth. “Heroism is what I was focused on. Not, you know, trying not to die.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/oh-good-i-say-a-sour-taste-in-my-mouth-heroism-is-what-i-was-focused/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“Caleb frowns at him. "How old are you, anyway?" "Eighteen." "And you don't think you're too old to be with my little sister?" Tobias…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/caleb-frowns-at-him-how-old-are-you-anyway-eighteen-and-you-don-t/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [What do you think they're going to do to us when they find us guilty?" she says after a few minutes of silence have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/what-do-you-think-they-re-going-to-do-to-us-when-they-find-us-guilty/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“La paz está restringida, eso es libertad”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/la-paz-est-restringida-eso-es-libertad/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [In some parts of the ancient world, the hawk symbolized the sun. Back when I got this, I figured if I always had the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/in-some-parts-of-the-ancient-world-the-hawk-symbolized-the-sun-back/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) [Explore all 1,589 Veronica Roth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) ## More Human reason quotes > [To deprecate human reason by saying that none of us is or can be omniscient is absurd, for it takes an impossible standard as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murray-rothbard/to-deprecate-human-reason-by-saying-that-none-of-us-is-or-can-be/) [Murray Rothbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murray-rothbard/) > [The science of the church is neglected for the study of geometry, and they lose sight of Heaven while they are employed in measuring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/the-science-of-the-church-is-neglected-for-the-study-of-geometry-and/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [Human reason can excuse any evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/human-reason-can-excuse-any-evil/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Catholicism is not ritualism; it may in the future be fighting some sort of superstitious and idolatrous exaggeration of ritual. 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