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About this quote

What does it mean?
Evil succeeds when good people fail to act. Inaction enables wrongdoing.
In plain terms
Evil wins when good people do not stop it.
What can you take from it?
Good people must act to prevent evil.

Where it applies

  • moral crises
  • social justice
  • personal choice

Putting it to work

  • speak against injustice
  • take civic action

Questions to consider

  • What stops you from acting against wrong?

Another view

Sometimes individuals lack the power to stop systemic evil.

More from Edmund Burke

  1. Society can overlook murder, adultery or swindling - it never forgives the preaching of a new gospel.

    Permalink to quote #169
  2. It has always been with me, a test of the sense and candour of any one belonging to the opposite party, whether he allowed Burke to be a great man.

    Permalink to quote #171
  3. Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle which fits them all.

    Permalink to quote #168

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