The pious pretence that evil does not exist only makes it vague, enormous and menacing. Its overshadowing formlessness obsesses the mind. The way to beat an enemy is to define him clearly, to analyse and measure him. Once an idea is intelligently grasped, it ceases to threaten the mind with the terrors of the unknown.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Pretending evil doesn't exist makes it vague and threatening; defining and analyzing it removes its power over the mind.
- In plain terms
- Naming and studying evil makes it less frightening.
- What can you take from it?
- Clarify problems to reduce their psychological grip.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does labeling help manage fear?
- When can definition become limiting?
Another view
Some phenomena may resist precise definition.
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