Being Quote by William Godwin
“Man is a being of a mixed nature; and, as there is no integrity without its flaws, so is there no man so knavish but that in some things he may be trusted.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice, 1793
People are inherently flawed, yet even the worst can be trusted in some matters.
In simple terms: Even flawed people can be reliable sometimes.
Recognize partial trustworthiness despite imperfections.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- leadership
- friendship
- legal judgments
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When should you trust someone despite their flaws?
- What safeguards can you set when trusting?
Trust may be exploited; reliance on flawed individuals carries risk.