--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Evil can be condoned only if in the…" description: "\"Evil can be condoned only if in the beyond it is compensated by good and god himself needs immortality to vindicate his ways to man.\" — W. Somerset Mau..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97a/w-somerset-maugham-237_death_evil-can-be-condoned-only-if-in-the-beyo_2723944.jpg" --- # Evil can be condoned only if in the beyond it is… ![“Evil can be condoned only if in the beyond it is compensated by good and god himself needs immortality to vindicate his ways to man.” quote by W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97a/w-somerset-maugham-237_death_evil-can-be-condoned-only-if-in-the-beyo_2723944.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97a/w-somerset-maugham-237_death_evil-can-be-condoned-only-if-in-the-beyo_2723944.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97a/w-somerset-maugham-237_death_evil-can-be-condoned-only-if-in-the-beyo_2723944.jpg) > “Evil can be condoned only if in the beyond it is compensated by good and god himself needs immortality to vindicate his ways to man.” [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that evil is tolerated only when it is offset by greater good, and that even divine beings require justification for their actions toward humanity. **In simple terms:** Evil is accepted if balanced by good; even gods need justification. Key Takeaway Consider moral balance and justification. Themes ethics theology philosophy Mood thoughtful speculative Type philosophical theological When to use this quote - legal judgments - religious doctrine - personal moral decisions Key Concepts moral relativism divine justice Questions to Reflect On - Is it always possible to balance evil with good? - How do we judge divine motives? A Different Perspective The claim is abstract and may not apply to concrete situations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Immortality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immortality/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Wickedness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wickedness/) ## Related quotes > [“Among wise men there is no place at all left for hatred. 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Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [Follow your inclinations with due regard to the policeman round the corner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/follow-your-inclinations-with-due-regard-to-the-policeman-round-the/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“His love became a prison from which he longed to escape, but he had not the strength merely to open the door-that was all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/his-love-became-a-prison-from-which-he-longed-to-escape-but-he-had/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [I did not believe him capable of love. That is an emotion in which tenderness is an essential part, but Strickland had no tenderness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/i-did-not-believe-him-capable-of-love-that-is-an-emotion-in-which/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [If only the good were a little less heavy-footed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/if-only-the-good-were-a-little-less-heavy-footed/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [Perfection has one grave defect: it is apt to be dull.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/perfection-has-one-grave-defect-it-is-apt-to-be-dull/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“A God that can be understood is no God. Who can explain the Infinite in words?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/a-god-that-can-be-understood-is-no-god-who-can-explain-the-infinite/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“My dear, you used to be quite a dish; now you're quite a tureen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/my-dear-you-used-to-be-quite-a-dish-now-you-re-quite-a-tureen/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“When people say they do not care what others thing of them, for the most part they deceive themselves”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/when-people-say-they-do-not-care-what-others-thing-of-them-for-the/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) [Explore all 840 W. 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