William James Quotes

It is the greatest good to the greatest number which is the measure of right and wrong.

Beneficence is a duty.

The ultimate notion of right is that which tends to the universal good; and when one's acting in a certain manner has this tendency he has a right thus to act.

Philosophers and theologians have yet to learn that a physical fact is as sacred as a moral principle. Our own nature demands from us this double allegiance.

By definition, the big difference between mercy and justice is that mercy is never ever obligatory.

The true source of rights is duty.

When our interests and values are at stake, we have a responsibility to act.

In the cruel and terrible time in which our generation has been condemned to live on this earth, we must never make peace with evil. We must never become indifferent to others or undemanding of ourselves.

Obligation may be stretched till it is no better than a brand of slavery stamped on us when we were too young to know its meaning.

Violence becomes imperative when an attempt is made to assert rights without any reference to duties.

Happiness is a moral obligation

Moral obligation is to me so very strong a Stimulant, that in 9 cases out of ten it acts as a Narcotic. The Blow that should rouse, stuns me.

Duty does not consist in suffering everything, but in suffering everything for duty. Sometimes, indeed, it is our duty not to suffer.

It is important to act as if bearing witness matters.

Whatever is morally necessary must be made politically possible.

Why wouldn't I help? What good reason do I have as a human being with power and a sense of empathy and morality, why wouldn't I do something?

Stern daughter of the voice of God! O Duty! if that name thou love Who art a light to guide, a rod To check the erring and reprove.

Morality rests upon a sense of obligation; and obligation has no meaning except as implying a Divine command, without which it would cease to be.

Nothing is properly one's duty but what is also one's interest.

There is accumulation. There is responsibility. And beyond this there is great unrest.

Both love of mankind, and respect for their rights are duties; the former however is only a conditional, the latter an unconditional, purely imperative duty, which he must be perfectly certain not to have transgressed who would give himself up to the secret emotions arising from benevolence.

We cannot abdicate our conscience to an organization, nor to a government. 'Am I my brother's keeper?' Most certainly I am! I cannot escape my responsibility by saying the State will do all that is necessary. It is a tragedy that nowadays so many think and feel otherwise.

For morality life is a war, and the service of the highest is a sort of cosmic patriotism which also calls for volunteers.

With a great moral issue involved, neutrality does not serve righteousness; for to be neutral between right and wrong is to serve wrong.

If you have the ability to do something, you should do it.