Naomi Mitchison Quotes

When you choose the lesser of two evils, always remember that it is still an evil.

Of two evils, the less is always to be chosen.

Morality without a sense of paradox is mean.

Constantly choosing the lesser of two evils is still choosing evil.

The sad truth is that most evil is done by people who never made up their minds to be either good or evil.

Most evil is done by people who never make up their minds to be good or evil.

The true knowledge of good and evil arouses disturbances of the mind

It is seldom that statesmen have the option of choosing between a good and an evil.

If you choose the lesser of two evils, you are still choosing evil.

I don't see much use in general slogans. Sometimes it is worth resisting evil with lesser evil, very commonly in fact.

Of two Evils we take the less.

It doesn't make sense to have to do the wrong thing in order to do the right thing.

The 'morality of compromise' sounds contradictory. Compromise is usually a sign of weakness, or an admission of defeat. Strong men don't compromise, it is said, and principles should never be compromised.

More often there's a compromise between ethics and expediency.

To do a great right do a little wrong.

To prefer evil to good is not in human nature; and when a man is compelled to choose one of two evils, no one will choose the greater when he might have the less.

If you have difficulties making a decision, choose the lesser of the two evils.

Do not do an immoral thing for moral reasons.

Invite characters of surprising and moral character, or at least those who grapple with what is right or those who make decisions that shock.

It may be necessary temporarily to accept a lesser evil, but one must never label a necessary evil as good.

Sometimes the right thing gets done for the wrong reason and sometimes, unfortunately, the wrong thing gets done for the right reason.

[In a political contest] If you are faced with the lesser of two evils, you have the evil of two lesser.

Philosophy triumphs easily over past and future evils; but present evils triumph over philosophy.

Every nation necessarily inhabits a morally compromised space. All too often our ideals seem to be held to ransom by what we believe, rightly or wrongly, to be objective reality.

In any compromise between food and poison, it is only death that can win. In any compromise between good and evil, it is only evil that can profit.