Belief like any other moving body follows the path of least resistance.
Samuel ButlerRead
Evil is like water, it abounds, is cheap, soon fouls, but runs itself clear of taint.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Evil, like water, is pervasive and easy to come by, but it eventually becomes corrupted and can cleanse itself.
This quote by Samuel Butler uses the metaphor of water to illustrate the nature of evil. Just as water is abundant and essential, evil is prevalent in society and often seen as a commonplace occurrence. However, like water that can become polluted, evil too can become corrupted and lead to negative consequences. Ultimately, the idea is that while evil may exist in abundance, it has a way of revealing its true nature over time, running clear of its taint as individuals and societies confront and address it.
Themes
EvilWaterNatureCorruptionSociety
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote during a discussion on morality in a philosophy class.
More from Samuel Butler
All quotes βTo know God better is only to realize how impossible it is that we should ever know him at all. I know not which is more childish to deny him, or define him.
Samuel ButlerRead
Academic and aristocratic people live in such an uncommon atmosphere that common sense can rarely reach them.
Samuel ButlerRead
An apology for the devil: it must be remembered that we have heard one side of the case. God has written all the books.
Samuel ButlerRead
Young people have a marvelous faculty of either dying or adapting themselves to circumstances.
Samuel ButlerRead
People care more about being thought to have taste than about being thought either good, clever or amiable.
Samuel ButlerRead
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I freely chose the kind of life I led because I was convinced that a woman has as much right as a man to live the way she does if she does no actual harm to society.
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If we steal a man's purse we are thieves. If we steal twelve hundred islands we are patriots. If you steal a man's money you will be sent to the penitentiary. If you steal his liberty you will be sent to the White House.
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