Chaste Quote by William F. Buckley, Jr
“It was rumored, in 1946, that the hangman in Nuremberg adjusted the nooses of some of the condemned to magnify the pain of suffocation. Such sadism was not called for then and is not called for now. But if fornication is wrong, there is no denying that it can bring pleasure. The death of Saddam Hussein at rope's end brings a pleasure that is undeniable, and absolutely chaste in its provenance.”
About This Quote
The quote juxtaposes historical cruelty with a controversial moral stance on pleasure, suggesting that some violent acts can be seen as justified or pure.
In simple terms: It compares past cruelty to a view that some violent acts can be justified.
Key Takeaway
Consider the ethics of pleasure derived from harm.
Themes
ethics
violence
morality
history
pleasure
Mood
reflective
critical
somber
Type
philosophical
controversial
When to use this quote
- debates on capital punishment
- discussions of wartime ethics
- philosophical analysis of pleasure
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
justification
moral relativism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- Is any form of violence ever morally pure?
- How do we reconcile historical atrocities with contemporary moral standards?
A Different Perspective
The claim that any violent act can be "absolutely chaste" is highly contested and may ignore broader moral implications.
![“He [Wilhelm Reich] challenged the puritanical ideas about sexuality in our culture. In laywoman terms, Reich believed humans store emotions in our muscles. During orgasm, muscles in the body contract, then relax, thus releasing emotions. Reich asserted that all aspects of healthy human psychology…” quote by Inga Muscio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ef3/inga-muscio-14537_entire-life_he-wilhelm-reich-challenged-the-puritani_971773.jpg)
