There is perhaps no phenomenon which contains so much destructive feeling as moral indignation, which permits envy or hate to be acted out under the guise of virtue.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Moral indignation often masks envy or hate as virtue. It allows negative emotions to be expressed under the guise of righteousness.
- In plain terms
- People use anger at others' wrongs to hide their own hate or jealousy.
- What can you take from it?
- Beware of using moral anger to justify hate or envy.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is your anger truly about justice?
- How do you check your own motives?
Another view
It may dismiss legitimate moral outrage as disguised envy.
More from Erich Fromm
There is only one meaning of life: the act of living itself.
Permalink to quote #102 To hope means to be ready at every moment for that which is not yet born, and yet not become desperate if there is no birth in our lifetime.
Permalink to quote #104 There is no meaning to life except the meaning man gives to his life by the unfolding of his powers.
Permalink to quote #101
Related quotes
'Righteous hatred' is in the same category as 'righteous cancer' or 'righteous tuberculosis'. All of them are absurd concepts.
Alan WallaceAlan Wallace quote #1 The wicked are wicked, no doubt, and they go astray and they fall, and they come by their deserts: but who can tell the mischief which the very virtuous do?
William Makepeace ThackerayWilliam Makepeace Thackeray quote #5 A healthy hatred of scoundrels.
Thomas CarlyleThomas Carlyle quote #10