QuoteProject
Evil people naturally assume that you will use that power exactly as they would use it.
Orson Scott Card
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Evil individuals project their own intentions onto others, expecting them to act similarly.

This quote suggests that people with malicious intentions often believe that others share their values and will act in the same way they would. It highlights a common cognitive bias where individuals assume that their perspective and behavior are the norm, leading to a misunderstanding of those who may not share such inclinations towards power and morality.

Themes

EvilPowerMoralityProjectionIntentions

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a discussion about ethics in leadership.

More from Orson Scott Card

And enough for me that when my hand touched your shoulder, you leaned on me; and when you felt me slip away, you called my name.
Orson Scott CardRead
The world is always a democracy in times of flux, and the man with the best voice will win.
Orson Scott CardRead
Never mind that the story had turned out to be lies and foolishness—there was always folks stupid enough to say, Where there's smoke there's fire, when the saying should have been, Where there's scandalous lies there's always malicious believers and spreaders-around, regardless of evidence.
Orson Scott CardRead
The lives of all people flow through time, and, regardless of how brutal one moment may be, how filled with grief or pain or fear, time flows through all lives equally.
Orson Scott CardRead
You take a step, then another. That's the journey. But to take a step with your eyes open is not a journey at all, it's a remaking of your own mind.
Orson Scott CardRead
I've had your tears with mine, and you've had mine with yours. I think that's more intimate even than a kiss.
Orson Scott CardRead

Similar quotes

We start caring way too much about that new TV show or how many likes we're getting on Facebook or what our mother will think of our new house plant. These are bad values that turn us into frivolous people.
Mark MansonRead
America is strong because its journalism is strong. That's how democracies work. They're only as good as the quality of the information that the public possesses. And that is where we come in.
Scott PelleyRead
Death is the only pure, beautiful conclusion of a great passion.
D. H. LawrenceRead
I told him I was going to betray you, and betray Lyra, and he believed me because I was corrupt and full of wickedness; he looked so deep I felt sure he'd see the truth. But I lied too well. I was lying with every nerve and fiber and everything I'd ever done...I wanted him to find no good in me, and he didn't. There is none.
Philip PullmanRead
Many a professing Christian is a stumbling-block because his worship is divided. On Sunday he worships God; on weekdays God has little or no place in his thoughts.
Dwight L. MoodyRead
Nothing in the affairs of men is worthy of great anxiety.
PlatoRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.