While it is very sturdy of comfortable men to point out that life is unfair, the people it is unfair to are not apt to be morally or philosophically elevated by the announcement. If you are going to preach that unfairness is inescapable for some, good sense suggests that you also accept the inevitability of beastly behavior by people who have to carry the burden.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Pointing out that life is unfair does not help those suffering from it and may justify harsh behavior from those burdened by inequality. Preaching inevitability requires accepting the negative consequences on human conduct.
- In plain terms
- Telling people life is unfair won't make them feel better and might excuse bad behavior.
- What can you take from it?
- Acknowledging unfairness without offering solutions can justify cruelty.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does accepting unfairness make us more cruel?
- How should we respond to inevitable injustice?
Another view
It assumes all unfairness leads to beastly behavior.
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