Who said “We are all ready to be savage in some cause. The difference between a good man and a bad…”?

Verified

William James. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceLetter to E.L. Godkin (24 December 1895)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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“We are all ready to be savage in some cause. The difference between a good man and a bad one is the choice of the cause.”
VerifiedLetter to E.L. Godkin (24 December 1895) · evidenceCauses

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Letter to E.L. Godkin (24 December 1895).

APA

James, W. (n.d.). We are all ready to be savage in some cause. The difference between a good man and a bad one is the choice of the cause. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/9009-we-are-all-ready-to-be-savage-in/

MLA

James, William. “We are all ready to be savage in some cause. The difference between a good man and a bad one is the choice of the cause.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/9009-we-are-all-ready-to-be-savage-in/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

James, William. “We are all ready to be savage in some cause. The difference between a good man and a bad one is the choice of the cause.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/9009-we-are-all-ready-to-be-savage-in/.