"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."?

Question

Is this true?

Answer 1

First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.

Pastor Martin Niemöller

Answer 2

No, because there's good and evil in all of us. So it's a bit simplistic really. The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for God not to provide a way to save us from this evil world and make us good, through Jesus Christ.

Answer 3

Its true to the extent that it is true. But alot of it depends upon how you consider the word 'nothing'. Does that mean that doing 'something' is always more productive than doing 'nothing'? Even believing in the above 'idea' can be considered 'something', but would it qualify as enough 'something' to avoid 'nothing'?

Evil triumphs because of its own effort; whether or not it remains triumphant is the result of others.

Answer 4

No. Good men and women try to stop evil things happening all the time. However, if they do not have real power and cannot convince others that what they stand for is right, evil prevails.

Answer 5

Splitting humanity into "good" and "evil" is a bit simplistic. But yes, the idea is generally right.

Answer 6

Well you know, I am a great believer in Democracy. But in most of Europe, and the US too I believe, less and less people can be bothered voting at elections.

And see what we have ended up with.

Answer 7

What if good men did do something but it didn't work. Or if they were busy doing something else. Or they made a mistake and did the wrong thing......

Answer 8

Sometimes it's better to leave well enough alone. Look at the Iraq war. The U.S. invaded and now things are worse for them and for us.

Answer 9

Yes.

Answer 10

Very true