Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Religious ethics demand regret before desire, but also forbid the desire from actually occurring.
In plain terms
You must feel bad about wanting something before you want it, and then stop wanting it.
What can you take from it?
Moral frameworks often create contradictory expectations around human impulses.

Where it applies

  • theological discussion
  • moral philosophy
  • personal conduct

Putting it to work

  • critique moral codes
  • examine guilt cycles

Questions to consider

  • Is guilt a necessary precursor to ethical behavior?

Another view

The quote assumes a specific religious framework not applicable to all moral systems.

More from Karl Kraus

  1. An illusion of depth often occurs if a blockhead is a muddlehead at the same time.

    Permalink to quote #17
  2. Curses on the law! Most of my fellow citizens are the sorry consequences of uncommitted abortions.

    Permalink to quote #19
  3. A weak man has doubts before a decision, a strong man has them afterwards.

    Permalink to quote #16

Related quotes

  1. I think that Jesus would be disappointed in our ignoring the plight of those around us who are suffering and our focus on our own selfish short-term needs. I t…

    John EdwardsJohn Edwards quote #1
  2. If you are going to sin, sin against God, not the bureaucracy. God will forgive you but the bureaucracy won't.

    Hyman G. RickoverHyman G. Rickover quote #3
  3. The vicar's right; he says that we Are ever wayward, weak and blind; He tells us in his homily Ambition ruins all mankind;

    Gustave NadaudGustave Nadaud quote #3