 Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 |
Sin, however, is psychologically very different when imputed to our enemies from what it is when thought of as our own shortcoming, for the one involves pride and the other humility. The extreme of humility is reached in the doctrine of original sin, of which the best exposition is to be found in St. Augustine. According to this doctrine, Adam and Eve were created with free will, and had the power of choice between good and evil. When they ate the apple they chose evil, and in that moment corruption entered into their souls. They and all their progeny were thenceforth unable to choose the good by the strength of their own unaided wills; only Divine Grace enabled the elect to live virtuously.
Source: Bertrand Russell: Human Society in Ethics and Politics, 1954, chapter 7: Sin, n.6
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