“Men are more moral than they think and far more immoral than they can imagine.”
- May 6, 1856 – September 23, 1939
- Austrian
- Neurologist, Founder of Psychoanalysis
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Quote
“Men are more moral than they think and far more immoral than they can imagine.”
Explanation
In this paradoxical statement, Freud captures the duality of human morality. On one hand, people often underestimate their capacity for ethical behavior, failing to recognize small acts of kindness, restraint, or empathy as genuine moral choices. On the other hand, Freud asserts that the unconscious mind harbors far darker impulses than individuals are willing to acknowledge, making people “far more immoral” than they dare to believe.
This insight reflects Freud’s central claim that much of human behavior is driven by unconscious desires, especially aggressive and sexual instincts. His psychoanalytic theory revealed that behind socially acceptable conduct lies a hidden realm of repressed urges, fantasies, and guilt. Civilization, he argued, requires the repression of these instincts, but they remain active beneath the surface. Thus, while individuals may view themselves as moral beings, they often fail to comprehend the full scope of their unconscious motivations.
Today, Freud’s quote resonates in discussions of moral psychology, criminal behavior, and everyday self-deception. For instance, people may condemn dishonesty in others while rationalizing their own. It also applies to systemic issues where ordinary people contribute to harm—as in wartime atrocities or corporate wrongdoing—without fully grasping the moral implications. Freud’s message urges us to look deeper than conscious self-perception, acknowledging both our capacity for good and our hidden potential for wrongdoing.
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