Pastoral Resources

Every war results from the struggle for markets and spheres of influence, and every war is sold to the public by professional liars and totally sincere religious maniacs, as a Holy Crusade to save God and Goodness from Satan and Evil.

You seem to think that the only genuine existence evil can have is conscious existence - that no one is evil unless he admits it to himself. I disagree.

No man chooses evil because it is evil; he only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks.

Sometimes the way you respond to horrific, evil deeds is the measure of one's self as a man, as a nation, as people, as a community.

Government is an unnecessary evil. Human beings, when accustomed to taking responsibility for their own behavior, can cooperate on a basis of mutual trust and helpfulness.

One impulse from a vernal wood May teach you more of man, Of moral evil and of good, Than all the sages can.

If they exert it not for good, they will for evil; if they advance not knowledge, they will perpetuate ignorance.

No evil is honorable: but death is honorable; therefore death is not evil.

When you locate good in yourself, approve of it with determination. When you locate evil in yourself, despise it as something detestable.

Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity.

What happens when good people are put into an evil place? Do they triumph or does the situation dominate their past history and morality?

The line between good and evil is permeable and almost anyone can be induced to cross it when pressured by situational forces.

Evil is knowing better, but willingly doing worse.

I have been primarily interested in how and why ordinary people do unusual things, things that seem alien to their natures. Why do good people sometimes act evil? Why do smart people sometimes do dumb or irrational things?

Dialogue is a necessary evil.