A man, to be greatly good, must imagine intensely and comprehensively; he must put himself in the place of another and many others; the pains and pleasures of his species must become his own. The great instrument of moral good is the imagination.

Percy Bysshe Shelley
About This Quote

The greatest instrument of moral good is the imagination. This quote emphasizes the importance of imagination in creating a sense of morality. To be moral, you must imagine the feelings of others and the feelings of your own self. This quote also explains that to be moral you must put yourself in the shoes of many people so that you know what they are going through.

The quote refers to "the pains and pleasures" of other people, but it is clear that these are not just physical pains and pleasures but emotional pains and pleasures too. This may be why this quote is often used in arguments about how to be moral or in arguments about religion. It is not clear at all what the poet meant by "the great instrument." It may refer to any number of things, including religion, perception, imagination, or even logic.

Source: A Defence Of Poetry And Other Essays

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