Just when we most need to be clearheaded, in order to face the hard facts before us, there is all too frequently a very real inclination to give way to dangerous tendencies merely as an escape from realities.
William Lyon Mackenzie KingRead
Far more has been accomplished for the welfare and progress of mankind by preventing bad actions than by doing good ones.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Preventing negative actions is more beneficial for humanity than merely promoting positive ones.
This quote emphasizes the idea that the prevention of harmful actions is a significantly more powerful force for human welfare and societal progress than the promotion of good deeds alone. It suggests that mitigating harm plays a crucial role in fostering a better world, highlighting the proactive nature of prevention as essential for collective advancement.
Themes
WelfareProgressPreventionGood ActionsBad Actions
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about community improvements, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of preventing crime.
More from William Lyon Mackenzie King
All quotes βThe politician's promises of yesterday are the taxes of today.
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It is what we prevent, rather than what we do that counts most in Government.
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We could not guard every water pipeline from being blown up and every tree from being uprooted. We could not prevent every murder of a worker in an orchard or a family in their beds. But it was in our power to set high price for our blood, a price too high for the Arab community, the Arab army, or the Arab governments to think it worth paying... It was in our power to cause the Arab governments to renounce 'the policy of strength' toward Israel by turning it into a demonstration of weakness.
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He had tenderness in his heart β βa soft place,β as Nicholas Higgins called it; but he had some pride in concealing it; he kept it very sacred and safe, and was jealous of every circumstance that tried to gain admission. But if he dreaded exposure of his tenderness, he was equally desirous that all men should recognize his justice; and he felt that he had been unjust, in giving so scornful a hearing to anyone who had waited, with humble patience, for five hours, to speak to him.
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All religions begin with the cry Help.
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