QuoteProject
Pain forces even the innocent to lie.
Publilius Syrus
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Pain can drive anyone, regardless of their goodness, to behave in ways they normally wouldn't.

This quote suggests that pain and suffering can influence people's actions and morality. Even those who are inherently good or innocent may resort to deception or dishonesty when faced with immense pain, highlighting the complex and often challenging nature of human behavior under distress.

Themes

PainInnocenceLieHuman BehaviorMorality

In practice

Example use cases

During a discussion about ethical dilemmas in psychology classes.

More from Publilius Syrus

Never promise more than you can perform.
Publilius SyrusRead
In a heated argument we are apt to lose sight of the truth.
Publilius SyrusRead
Admonish your friends privately, but praise them openly.
Publilius SyrusRead
What a tragedy is help where it harms what it supports!
Publilius SyrusRead
The miser is as much in want of what he has as of what he has not.
Publilius SyrusRead
He who lives only for himself is truly dead to others.
Publilius SyrusRead

Similar quotes

Older men start wars, but younger men fight them.
Albert EinsteinRead
ORPHAN, n. A living person whom death has deprived of the power of filial ingratitude . . .
Ambrose BierceRead
Let it be henceforth proclaimed to the world that man's conscience was created free; that he is no longer accountable to his fellow man for his religious opinions, being responsible therefore only to his God.
John TylerRead
My faceless neighbor spoke up: β€œDon’t be deluded. Hitler has made it clear that he will annihilate all Jews before the clock strikes twelve.” I exploded: β€œWhat do you care what he said? Would you want us to consider him a prophet? His cold eyes stared at me. At last he said, wearily: β€œI have more faith in Hitler than in anyone else. He alone has kept his promises, all his promises, to the Jewish people.
Elie WieselRead
I'm really very sorry for you all, but it's an unjust world, and virtue is triumphant only in theatrical performances.
W. S. GilbertRead
Irresolution on the schemes of life which offer themselves to our choice, and inconstancy in pursuing them, are the greatest causes of all our unhappiness.
Joseph AddisonRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.

Quote by Publilius Syrus | QuoteProject