“The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis.”
- c. 1265 – September 14, 1321
- Italian
- Poet, Writer, Philosopher, Author of The Divine Comedy
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Quote
“The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis.”
Explanation
This quote is frequently attributed to Dante Alighieri, but he never wrote these exact words. It is a modern paraphrasing that loosely draws inspiration from Inferno, Canto III, where Dante places the “neutral” souls—those who lived without blame or praise—outside the gates of Hell, in a state of perpetual insignificance and misery. These are the people who, in life, refused to take a stand—neither for good nor for evil.
While the spirit of the quote captures a key element of Dante’s moral worldview—that moral cowardice is contemptible—it is important to note that Dante never describes “the darkest places in Hell” as being for the neutral. In fact, the deepest circles of Hell are reserved for traitors and betrayers, such as Judas Iscariot, Brutus, and Cassius. The truly neutral are not even considered worthy of entering Hell proper; instead, they dwell in an outer vestibule, a place of forgotten souls denied both infamy and glory.
Though not a direct quote, this paraphrase is powerful and has been used in political and activist discourse to criticize inaction in the face of injustice. It echoes Dante’s condemnation of moral apathy, urging individuals to act decisively when confronted with ethical dilemmas. As such, while not historically accurate, it remains a compelling interpretation of Dante’s core ethical message.
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