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Indifference, to me, is the epitome of evil.
Elie Wiesel
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Indifference is a profound moral failing that contributes to evil in the world.

Elie Wiesel's statement emphasizes that indifference, or the lack of concern for the suffering of others, is one of the greatest evils one can perpetuate. By choosing not to care or act in the face of injustice, individuals enable and exacerbate the suffering of those in need, making indifference a powerful force for harm in society.

Themes

IndifferenceEvilSufferingCompassionAction

In practice

Example use cases

During a speech on humanitarian issues, one might say, 'As Elie Wiesel stated, 'Indifference, to me, is the epitome of evil,' reminding us to take action.

More from Elie Wiesel

The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.
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With every cell of my being and with every fiber of my memory I oppose the death penalty in all forms. I do not believe any civilized society should be at the service of death. I don't think it's human to become an agent of the angel of death.
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Certain things, certain events, seem inexplicable only for a time: up to the moment when the veil is torn aside.
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We're alone, but we are capable of communicating to one another both our loneliness and our desire to break through it. You say, 'I'm alone.' Someone answers, 'I'm alone too.' There's a shift in the scale of power. A bridge is thrown between the two abysses.
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No one is as capable of gratitude as one who has escaped the kingdom of night.
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My loyalty to my people, to our people, and to Israel comes first and prevents me from saying anything critical of Israel outside Israel… As a Jew I see my role as a melitz yosher, a defender of Israel: I defend even her mistakes… I must identify with whatever Israel does – even with her errors.
Elie WieselRead

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