The key to wisdom is this - constant and frequent questioning, for by doubting we are led to question and by questioning we arrive at the truth.
Peter AbelardRead
We call an intention good which is right in itself, but the action is good, not because it contains within it some good, but because it issues from a good intention.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A good intention is what makes an action morally right, not the action itself.
This quote by Peter Abelard emphasizes the significance of good intentions behind actions. It suggests that the moral value of an action stems from the purity of the intention that inspires it, rather than the action being inherently good in nature. This highlights the importance of motive in ethical considerations.
Themes
IntentionActionMoralityEthicsGoodnessMotivation
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion about ethics in a philosophy class.
More from Peter Abelard
All quotes →By doubting we are led to question, by questioning we arrive at the truth.
Peter AbelardRead
And now, my friend, I am going to expose to you all my weaknesses. All men, I believe, are under a necessity of paying tribute at some time or other to Love, and it is vain to strive to avoid it. I was a philosopher, yet this tyrant of the mind triumphed over all my wisdom; his darts were of greater force than all my reasonings, and with a sweet constraint he led me wherever he pleased.
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Are you not moved to tears and bitter compassion, when you behold the only Son of God seized by the most impious, dragged away, mocked, scourged, buffeted, spit upon, crowned with thorns, hung upon the infamous cross between two thieves, finally in such a horrible and execrable manner suffering death, for your salvation and that of the world?
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Our redemption through the suffering of Christ is that deeper love within us which not only frees us from slavery to sin, but also secures for us the true liberty of the children of God, in order that we might do all things out of love rather than out of fear - love for him that has shown us such grace that no greater can be found.
Peter AbelardRead
In doubting we come to inquiry; by inquiry we perceive the truth.
Peter AbelardRead
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