There are plenty of good reasons for fighting,' I said, 'but no good reason ever to hate without reservation, to imagine that God Almighty Himself hates with you, too. Where's evil? It's that large part of every man that wants to hate without limit, that wants to hate with God on its side.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Vonnegut distinguishes fighting from hating, arguing that while fighting may have reasons, hating without limit is the true evil within humanity.
- In plain terms
- Fighting can have reasons, but unlimited hatred is the real evil in us.
- What can you take from it?
- Hate without limit is more dangerous than justified conflict.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is hate justified?
- Is evil inherent?
Another view
Sometimes hate feels justified to those involved.
More from Kurt Vonnegut
Here lies Howard Campbell's essence, Freed from his body's noisome nuisance. His body, empty, prowls the earth, Earning what a body's worth. If his body and hi…
Permalink to quote #45 Say what you will about the sweet miracle of unquestioning faith, I consider a capacity for it terrifying and absolutely vile.
Permalink to quote #47 Make love when you can. It's good for you.
Permalink to quote #44
Related quotes
Life on earth is a hand-to-hand mortal combat... between the law of love and the law of hate.
Jose MartiJose Marti quote #1 If I fear anything, I fear the atmosphere of the war, the power which it gives to all the things I hate - the newspapers, the politicians, the puritans, the sc…
Christopher IsherwoodChristopher Isherwood quote #2 So if depite that, Hitler prepared war, he perpetrated the greatest lie and betrayal in the world. This trial clearly shows that Hitler did just that. I have n…
Hans FritzscheHans Fritzsche quote #2