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A good cause can become bad if we fight for it with means that are indiscriminately murderous. A bad cause can become good if enough people fight for it in a spirit of comradeship and self-sacrifice. In the end it is how you fight, as much as why you fight, that makes your cause good or bad.
Freeman Dyson
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The morality of a cause is determined not only by its goals but also by the methods used to pursue it.

This quote emphasizes that the nature of a cause, whether good or bad, is greatly influenced by the approach taken by those who support it. It asserts that ethical considerations in the means of fighting for a cause are just as important as the reasoning behind the cause itself. Thus, the intentions behind actions and the spirit in which they are carried out play a critical role in defining the moral standing of a cause.

Themes

CauseMoralityMeansFightEthicsSpiritSelf-Sacrifice

In practice

Example use cases

During a rally for social justice, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of peaceful protest.

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