Thought of the Day: There is nothing good about the lesser of two evils. Evil is still evil.

October 3, 2025

We’ve all heard the phrase “the lesser of two evils.” It usually shows up when someone is justifying a choice they don’t feel good about. Maybe it’s a political election. Maybe it’s the lesser of two workplace headaches. Or maybe it’s something as simple as dinner: the soggy leftovers versus the sad-looking salad in the fridge. We tell ourselves, “Well, at least this one isn’t as bad as the other.”

But here’s the hard truth: evil doesn’t become good just because it’s smaller. When we pick the “lesser” of two evils, we’re still saying yes to evil, we’re just doing the mental gymnastics that make it easier to swallow.

Looking Beyond the False Choice

The real challenge isn’t which evil we pick, but whether we pause long enough to ask if there’s another option. Do we really have to settle for what’s in front of us? Or are we just too tired, too busy, or too pressured to think outside the box?

I’ve noticed this with my kids. Sometimes they present me with options like, “Dad, do you want me to watch TV or play video games?” Neither option involves reading, cleaning up, or doing something remotely helpful. The easy move is to pick the “lesser” of their evils, video games instead of TV, but the better move is to realize the question itself is flawed. They’re trying to box me in, and I need to be awake enough to see it.

We face versions of this every day: in politics, in relationships, in how we spend our money, even in how we spend our time. Saying “no” to the lesser of two evils often feels impossible, but sometimes it’s the only way to make room for a genuinely good choice.

Why We Settle

So why do we keep picking between two bad options? Part of it is fear. We don’t want to be stuck without an answer, so we grab the closest thing. Part of it is convenience, choosing something, even if it’s bad, feels easier than sitting in the discomfort of uncertainty.

But here’s the kicker: every time we settle for the lesser evil, we reinforce the idea that evil is acceptable, so long as it comes in a smaller package. And over time, that adds up. The more we say yes to “lesser” evils, the less energy we have left to chase what’s actually good.

A Better Way Forward

Maybe the real wisdom is refusing to label evil as an option in the first place. If you can walk away from a choice that compromises your values, you’re not just dodging harm, you’re making space for something healthier, cleaner, better.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about refusing to let yourself get trapped by false choices. It’s about asking hard questions:

• Do I have to play this game at all?
• What would it look like to choose neither option?
• Who benefits from me believing these are my only choices?
  

The answers aren’t always easy. But they matter.

🧠 Read the full blog post where I explore this Thought of the Day and the Question of the Day

✨ Browse the full Thought of the Day archive here →

✉️ Receive These Thoughts Daily

Start each day with a moment of meaning.

Sign up for the daily email.

👉 Join here.

💬 Share Your Interpretation

How does this thought hit you today?

Feel free to share it or just carry it quietly through your day.