'The first and only principle of sexual ethics: the accuser is always in the wrong.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- In sexual ethics, the person making the accusation is always at fault.
- In plain terms
- Accusers in sexual matters are never right.
- What can you take from it?
- Question the power dynamics behind accusations.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When might an accusation be justified?
Another view
This view ignores legitimate claims of abuse.
More from Theodor Adorno
'The film has succeeded in transforming subjects so indistinguishably into social functions, that those wholly encompassed, no longer aware of any conflict, en…
Permalink to quote #89 'The gods look in pleasure on penitent sinners.'
Permalink to quote #91 'The division of the world into important and unimportant matters, which has always served to neutralize the key phenomena of social injustice as mere exceptio…
Permalink to quote #88
Related quotes
If a test of civilization be sought, none can be so sure as the condition of that half of society over which the other half has power.
Harriet MartineauHarriet Martineau quote #1 Quem faz injuria vil e sem razao, Com forcas e poder em que esta posto, Nao vence; que a vitoria verdadeira E saber ter justica nua e inteira.
Luis de CamoesLuis de Camoes quote #10 Equality of possessions is no doubt right, but, as men could not make might obey right, they have made right obey might. (299)
Blaise PascalBlaise Pascal quote #16