Single Idea 23748

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / c. Life]

Full Idea

At the bottom of every human heart …there is something that goes on indomitably expecting, in the teeth of all crimes committed, suffered and witnessed, that good and not evil will be done to him. It is this above all that is sacred in every human being.

Gist of Idea

The sacred in every human is their expectation of good rather than evil

Source

Simone Weil (Human Personality [1943], p.71)

Book Reference

Weil,Simone: 'An Anthology' [Penguin 1986], p.71


A Reaction

I'm thinking that this expectation may come from having at least one loving parent, and failing that there are people who have no such expectation as adults. Simone obviously thinks the hope runs deeper than that.