Acts which are essentially dishonourable must not be done; they would be justified only by calm contemplation of their correctness in abstract cases.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Dishonorable actions should not be done unless they are justified by abstract reasoning.
- In plain terms
- Don't do immoral things unless you can rationally justify them in theory.
- What can you take from it?
- Avoid unethical deeds without solid justification.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is abstract justification insufficient?
- What standards should guide actions?
Another view
Abstract justification can be used to rationalize harmful behavior.
More from Aleister Crowley
The first task of the Magician in every ceremony is therefore to render his Circle absolutely impregnable.
Permalink to quote #36 Love is a virtue; it grows stronger and purer and less selfish by applying it to what it loathes; but theft is a vice involving the slave-idea that one's neigh…
Permalink to quote #38 Cleanliness is next to Godliness, and had better come first. Purity means singleness. God is one. The Wand is not a Wand if it has something sticking to it whi…
Permalink to quote #35
Related quotes
You know, doing what is right is easy. The problem is knowing what is right.
Lyndon JohnsonLyndon Johnson quote #26 The end must justify the means.
Matthew PriorMatthew Prior quote #2 My conscience is clear. I was simply doing my duty...
Franz StanglFranz Stangl quote #6