This insinuation of the interests of the self into even the most ideal enterprises and most universal objectives, envisaged in moments of highest rationality, makes hypocrisy an inevitable by product of all virtuous endeavor.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Selfish interests often infiltrate noble goals, making hypocrisy unavoidable in virtuous actions.
- In plain terms
- Even good projects get tainted by personal gain.
- What can you take from it?
- Expect imperfection in moral efforts.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Are you seeking credit for good work?
- How pure are your motives?
Another view
Some efforts remain genuinely pure.
More from Reinhold Niebuhr
Man's capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man's inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.
Permalink to quote #1 Man is endowed by nature with organic relations to his fellow men; and natural impulse prompts him to consider the needs of others even when they compete with …
Permalink to quote #3 [R]eason tends to check selfish impulses and to grant the satisfaction of legitimate impulses in others.
Permalink to quote #4
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