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Active Quote by William Blake

“Active Evil is better than Passive Good.” quote by William Blake
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“Active Evil is better than Passive Good.”

William Blake

About This Quote

The statement argues that actively causing harm can be more dangerous than passively allowing good, emphasizing the moral weight of action versus inaction.

In simple terms: Active evil outweighs passive good.

Key Takeaway

Action can be more morally consequential than inaction.

Themes

ethics morality action passivity

Mood

serious provocative

Type

philosophical moral aphorism

When to use this quote

  • corporate decision‑making
  • environmental policy
  • personal relationships

Key Concepts

moral responsibility consequentialism

Practical Applications

  • Evaluate the impact of both action and inaction in ethical reviews
  • Encourage proactive good deeds over mere avoidance of harm

Questions to Reflect On

  • When does inaction become complicit?
  • How can we balance proactive good with the risk of unintended harm?
A Different Perspective

Passive good may still prevent greater harm, making the dichotomy oversimplified.

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