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We are losing the values that have made America great. The destruction of the twin towers of the World Trade Center was such a horrendous event that it required a strong response. But the President committed a fundamental error in thinking: the fact that the terrorists are manifestly evil does not make whatever counter-actions we take automatically good. What we do to combat terrorism may also be wrong. Recognizing that we may be wrong is the foundation of an open society.

George Soros#48

PoliticsOpen societySocietySecurityEthicsTerrorismMorality

About this quote

What does it mean?
Even against evil, counter-actions can be wrong; humility is key to open society.
In plain terms
Fighting wrong doesn't make your actions right.
What can you take from it?
Open society needs humility about being wrong.

Where it applies

  • national security
  • policy making
  • ethical debate

Putting it to work

  • question counter-actions
  • accept fallibility

Questions to consider

  • When is force justified?
  • How do we admit error?

Another view

Humility can be seen as weakness in crisis.

More from George Soros

  1. A full and fair discussion is essential to democracy.

    Permalink to quote #47
  2. President Bush inadvertently played right into the hands of bin Laden. The invasion of Afghanistan was justified: that was where bin Laden lived and al Qaeda h…

    Permalink to quote #49
  3. I grew up in Hungary, lived through fascism and the Holocaust, and then had a foretaste of communism. I learned at an early age how important it is what kind o…

    Permalink to quote #46

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