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About this quote

What does it mean?
Shaw argues that habitual acceptance can make people tolerate terrible or immoral actions.
In plain terms
People get used to bad things and accept them over time.
What can you take from it?
Routine can blind us to injustice or cruelty.

Where it applies

  • evaluating social norms
  • ethical reflection
  • political awareness

Putting it to work

  • question established practices
  • stay alert to injustice

Questions to consider

  • What norms do you accept without questioning?
  • When does tradition become harmful?

Another view

Some customs are beneficial and harmless, not just reconciling people to atrocity.

More from George Bernard Shaw

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  2. A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.[1]

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  3. Confusing monogamy with morality has done more to destroy the conscience of the human race than any other error.[2]

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