Fanaticism is at its very strongest when it has political or, better still, religious motivation.
Douglas MurrayRead
A good cause need not be tarnished by its most fanatical expressions. But it is rarely helped by them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A virtuous cause can suffer from extreme viewpoints, which may not aid its progress.
This quote highlights the notion that while a noble cause or idea is valuable, its reputation and effectiveness can be jeopardized by the overly passionate or radical expressions of its supporters. It suggests that moderation and reasoned approaches are generally more effective in achieving the goals of the cause, rather than being overshadowed by the actions of its most fervent advocates.
Themes
CauseExtremismAdvocacyExpressionModeration
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about community activism, one might say, 'Remember, a good cause need not be tarnished by its most fanatical expressions.'
More from Douglas Murray
All quotes βA fanatic commits to an ideal to whatever end. A fanatic throws everything aside to pursue their idea. Take something which it would be good to be committed to, like basic human rights. You might campaign for such a thing. You might spend every day of your life pursuing such a thing. But once you become fanatical about it, anything can happen.
Douglas MurrayRead
Londoners say, 'We're so proud of our diversity and tolerance,' but what if that diversity ends up making us intolerant?
Douglas MurrayRead
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