Good vs. Evil: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 29, 2024
Good embodies moral righteousness and benevolence, while evil represents immorality, harm, and malevolence.
Key Differences
Good is often seen as the embodiment of morality, ethics, and benevolence, representing actions and intentions that are beneficial to others and society. Evil, conversely, is characterized by immorality, harm, and malevolence, often involving actions that are detrimental to the well-being of others and society.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
From a philosophical standpoint, good is considered a virtue that promotes harmony and positive outcomes. It is the quality of being upright, just, and fair. Evil, on the other hand, is viewed as a vice, a destructive force that brings about chaos, suffering, and injustice, often stemming from selfishness or cruelty.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
In many religious teachings, good is aligned with divine will, righteousness, and purity, often associated with actions and thoughts that are in accordance with religious doctrines. Evil is portrayed as the opposite, often linked to sin, corruption, and actions that go against divine principles, leading to moral and spiritual decay.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
Culturally, the perception of good and evil can vary greatly. Good is generally associated with altruism, kindness, and community welfare, promoting social cohesion and harmony. Evil, in contrast, is often linked with selfishness, violence, and disruption, actions that threaten the social order and communal well-being.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
Psychologically, good is associated with empathy, compassion, and the desire to positively impact others. It involves actions and thoughts that are considerate of others' well-being. Evil, from a psychological viewpoint, often correlates with a lack of empathy, malevolence, and actions driven by harmful intentions or disregard for others' welfare.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
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Comparison Chart
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Good and Evil Definitions
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Good
Being positive or desirable in nature; not bad or poor
A good experience.
Good news from the hospital.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Evil
Causing ruin, injury, or pain; harmful
The evil effects of a poor diet.
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Jan 04, 2024
Good
Having the qualities that are desirable or distinguishing in a particular thing
A good exterior paint.
A good joke.
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Jan 04, 2024
Good
Serving the desired purpose or end; suitable
Is this a good dress for the party?.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Evil
That which causes harm, misfortune, or destruction
A leader's power to do both good and evil.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Used formerly to refer to the US Government grade of meat higher than standard and lower than choice.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Evil
Something that is a cause or source of suffering, injury, or destruction
The social evils of poverty and injustice.
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Jan 04, 2024
Evil
Intending to harm; malevolent.
An evil plot to brainwash and even kill innocent people
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Evil
Morally corrupt.
If something is evil, it is never mandatory.
Do you think that companies that engage in animal testing are evil?
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Jan 04, 2024
Evil
Producing or threatening sorrow, distress, injury, or calamity; unpropitious; calamitous.
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Jan 04, 2024
Evil
(obsolete) Having harmful qualities; not good; worthless or deleterious.
An evil beast; an evil plant; an evil crop
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Evil
Undesirable; harmful; bad practice.
Global variables are evil; storing processing context in object member variables allows those objects to be reused in a much more flexible way.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Evil
Moral badness; wickedness; malevolence; the forces or behaviors that are the opposite or enemy of good.
The evils of society include murder and theft.
Evil lacks spirituality, hence its need for mind control.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Evil
Something which impairs the happiness of a being or deprives a being of any good; something which causes suffering of any kind to sentient beings; harm; injury; mischief.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Evil
(obsolete) A malady or disease; especially in combination, as in king's evil, colt evil.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Evil
(obsolete) badly, poorly; in an insufficient way.
It went evil with him.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Evil
Having qualities tending to injury and mischief; having a nature or properties which tend to badness; mischievous; not good; worthless or deleterious; poor; as, an evil beast; and evil plant; an evil crop.
A good tree can not bring forth evil fruit.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
In effect; operative
A warranty good for two years.
A driver's license that is still good.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Evil
Having or exhibiting bad moral qualities; morally corrupt; wicked; wrong; vicious; as, evil conduct, thoughts, heart, words, and the like.
Ah, what a sign it is of evil life,When death's approach is seen so terrible.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Ready or able for a specified or assumed activity
I'm good for another round of golf.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Evil
Producing or threatening sorrow, distress, injury, or calamity; unpropitious; calamitous; as, evil tidings; evil arrows; evil days.
Because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel.
The owl shrieked at thy birth - an evil sign.
Evil news rides post, while good news baits.
It almost led him to believe in the evil eye.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Able to pay or contribute
Is she good for the money that you lent her?.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Evil
Anything which impairs the happiness of a being or deprives a being of any good; anything which causes suffering of any kind to sentient beings; injury; mischief; harm; - opposed to good.
Evils which our own misdeeds have wrought.
The evil that men do lives after them.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Evil
Moral badness, or the deviation of a moral being from the principles of virtue imposed by conscience, or by the will of the Supreme Being, or by the principles of a lawful human authority; disposition to do wrong; moral offence; wickedness; depravity.
The heart of the sons of men is full of evil.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Evil
Malady or disease; especially in the phrase king's evil, the scrofula.
He [Edward the Confessor] was the first that touched for the evil.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Evil
In an evil manner; not well; ill; badly; unhappily; injuriously; unkindly.
It went evil with his house.
The Egyptians evil entreated us, and affected us.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Evil
That which causes harm or destruction or misfortune;
The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Evil
The quality of being morally wrong in principle or practice;
Attempts to explain the origin of evil in the world
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Landing within bounds or within a particular area of a court and therefore in play
The first serve was wide, but the second was good.
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Jan 04, 2024
Good
Passing between the uprights of the goal and therefore scoring, as a field goal in football.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Used to form exclamatory phrases expressing surprise or dismay
Good heavens! Good grief!.
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Jan 04, 2024
Evil
Having or exerting a malignant influence;
Malevolent stars
A malefic force
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Jan 04, 2024
Good
Goods(Slang) Incriminating information or evidence
Tried to get the goods on the crook.
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Jan 04, 2024
Good
Acting in the interest of what is beneficial, ethical, or moral.
Good intentions
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Jan 04, 2024
Good
Able to be depended on for the discharge of obligations incurred; of unimpaired credit; used with for.
Can you lend me fifty dollars? You know I'm good for it.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Well-behaved (especially of children or animals).
Be good while your mother and I are out.
Were you a good boy for the babysitter?
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
(US) Satisfied or at ease; not requiring more.
Would you like a glass of water? — I'm good.
[Are] you good? — Yeah, I'm fine.
Gimme another beer! — I think you're good.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Accepting of, OK with
My mother said she's good with me being alone with my date as long as she's met them first.
The soup is rather spicy. Are you good with that, or would you like something else?
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Useful for a particular purpose; functional.
It’s a good watch;
The flashlight batteries are still good
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Of food or other perishable products, still fit for use; not yet expired, stale, rotten, etc.
The bread is still good.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Valid, of worth, capable of being honoured.
This coupon is good for a free doughnut.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
True, valid, of explanatory strength.
This theory still holds good even if much higher temperatures are assumed.
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Jan 04, 2024
Good
Holy especially when capitalized .
Good Friday, Good Wednesday, the Good Book
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Large in amount or size.
A good while longer;
A good number of seeds;
A good part of his day was spent shopping.
It will be a good while longer until he's done.
He's had a good amount of troubles, he has.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Full; entire; at least as much as.
This hill will take a good hour and a half to climb.
The car was a good ten miles away.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
That is good; an elliptical exclamation of satisfaction or commendation.
Good! I can leave now.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
(nonstandard) Well; satisfactorily or thoroughly.
The boy done good. (did well)
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
(uncountable) The forces or behaviours that are the enemy of evil. Usually consists of helping others and general benevolence.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
(uncountable) The abstract instantiation of goodness; that which possesses desirable qualities, promotes success, welfare, or happiness, is serviceable, fit, excellent, kind, benevolent, etc.
The best is the enemy of the good.
He is an influence for good on those girls.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
(transitive) To do good to (someone); benefit; cause to improve or gain.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Possessing desirable qualities; adapted to answer the end designed; promoting success, welfare, or happiness; serviceable; useful; fit; excellent; admirable; commendable; not bad, corrupt, evil, noxious, offensive, or troublesome, etc.
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.
Good company, good wine, good welcome.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Possessing moral excellence or virtue; virtuous; pious; religious; - said of persons or actions.
In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works.
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Jan 04, 2024
Good
Kind; benevolent; humane; merciful; gracious; polite; propitious; friendly; well-disposed; - often followed by to or toward, also formerly by unto.
The men were very good unto us.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Serviceable; suited; adapted; suitable; of use; to be relied upon; - followed especially by for.
All quality that is good for anything is founded originally in merit.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Clever; skillful; dexterous; ready; handy; - followed especially by at.
He . . . is a good workman; a very good tailor.
Those are generally good at flattering who are good for nothing else.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Adequate; sufficient; competent; sound; not fallacious; valid; in a commercial sense, to be depended on for the discharge of obligations incurred; having pecuniary ability; of unimpaired credit.
My reasons are both good and weighty.
My meaning in saying he is a good man is . . . that he is sufficient . . . I think I may take his bond.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Real; actual; serious; as in the phrases in good earnest; in good sooth.
Love no man in good earnest.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Not small, insignificant, or of no account; considerable; esp., in the phrases a good deal, a good way, a good degree, a good share or part, etc.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Not lacking or deficient; full; complete.
Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Not blemished or impeached; fair; honorable; unsullied; as in the phrases a good name, a good report, good repute, etc.
A good name is better than precious ointment
The good woman never died after this, till she came to die for good and all.
Distinguished by good humor and good breeding.
My father always said I was born to be a good for nothing.
The good nature and generosity which belonged to his character.
The young count's good nature and easy persuadability were among his best characteristics.
The good will of a trade is nothing more than the probability that the old customers will resort to the old place.
Each word made good and true.
Of no power to make his wishes good.
I . . . would by combat make her good.
Convenient numbers to make good the city.
If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
That which possesses desirable qualities, promotes success, welfare, or happiness, is serviceable, fit, excellent, kind, benevolent, etc.; - opposed to evil.
There be many that say, Who will show us any good ?
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Advancement of interest or happiness; welfare; prosperity; advantage; benefit; - opposed to harm, etc.
The good of the whole community can be promoted only by advancing the good of each of the members composing it.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Wares; commodities; chattels; - formerly used in the singular in a collective sense. In law, a comprehensive name for almost all personal property as distinguished from land or real property.
He hath made us spend much good.
Thy lands and goodsAre, by the laws of Venice, confiscateUnto the state of Venice.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Well, - especially in the phrase as good, with a following as expressed or implied; equally well with as much advantage or as little harm as possible.
As good almost kill a man as kill a good book.
They who counsel ye to such a suppressing, do as good as bid ye suppress yourselves.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Moral excellence or admirableness;
There is much good to be found in people
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
That which is good or valuable or useful;
Weigh the good against the bad
Among the highest goods of all are happiness and self-realization
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified;
Good news from the hospital
A good report card
When she was good she was very very good
A good knife is one good for cutting
This stump will make a good picnic table
A good check
A good joke
A good exterior paint
A good secretary
A good dress for the office
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Having the normally expected amount;
Gives full measure
Gives good measure
A good mile from here
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Jan 04, 2024
Good
Deserving of esteem and respect;
All respectable companies give guarantees
Ruined the family's good name
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Promoting or enhancing well-being;
An arms limitation agreement beneficial to all countries
The beneficial effects of a temperate climate
The experience was good for her
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Superior to the average;
In fine spirits
A fine student
Made good grades
Morale was good
Had good weather for the parade
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Of moral excellence;
A genuinely good person
A just cause
An upright and respectable man
The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude;
Adept in handicrafts
An adept juggler
An expert job
A good mechanic
A practiced marksman
A proficient engineer
A lesser-known but no less skillful composer
The effect was achieved by skillful retouching
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
With or in a close or intimate relationship;
A good friend
My sisters and brothers are near and dear
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Jan 04, 2024
Good
Having or showing or arising from a desire to promote the welfare or happiness of others;
His benevolent smile
A benevolent nature
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Most suitable or right for a particular purpose;
A good time to plant tomatoes
The right time to act
The time is ripe for great sociological changes
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Resulting favorably;
Its a good thing that I wasn't there
It is good that you stayed
It is well that no one saw you
All's well that ends well
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Exerting force or influence;
The law is effective immediately
A warranty good for two years
The law is already in effect (or in force)
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
In excellent physical condition;
Good teeth
I still have one good leg
A sound mind in a sound body
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
Tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health;
Beneficial effects of a balanced diet
A good night's sleep
The salutary influence of pure air
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a nonstandard dialectal variant for `well');
The children behaved well
A task well done
The party went well
He slept well
A well-argued thesis
A well-planned party
The baby can walk pretty good
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Good
In a complete and thorough manner (`good' is sometimes used informally for `thoroughly');
He was soundly defeated
We beat him good
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can good and evil coexist?
Philosophically, good and evil often coexist, reflecting the dual nature of human morality.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
What is the basic definition of good?
Good refers to qualities that are morally right, beneficial, and virtuous.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
How do cultures influence the concept of good?
Different cultures have varied interpretations of what constitutes good, often influenced by their moral and ethical values.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
Can a person be purely good or evil?
It is rare for a person to be purely good or evil; most exhibit a mix of both traits.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
Is good always the opposite of evil?
Typically, good is considered the opposite of evil, but interpretations can vary based on context.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
How does religion define good and evil?
Most religions define good and evil in terms of adherence to divine laws and moral principles.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
Can good intentions lead to evil outcomes?
Sometimes good intentions can lead to unintended evil outcomes, known as the paradox of moral actions.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
Is there a universal standard for good and evil?
There is no absolute universal standard; perceptions of good and evil vary across cultures and time.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
Is evil always intentional?
Not always; sometimes evil results from negligence or ignorance rather than deliberate intent.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
How does literature depict good and evil?
Literature often portrays good and evil through characters and narratives that embody these qualities.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
How do psychological factors influence perceptions of good and evil?
Psychological factors like empathy, upbringing, and personal experiences can greatly influence one's perceptions of good and evil.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
Can animals be considered good or evil?
Animals are generally not considered in terms of good and evil, as these are human moral concepts.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
Does philosophy provide a clear definition of good and evil?
Philosophy offers various perspectives, but no single definition is universally accepted.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
Can something be good for one person and evil for another?
Yes, depending on individual perspectives and circumstances, the same action can be seen as good by some and evil by others.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
Can society's view of good and evil change over time?
Yes, societal views of good and evil can evolve with changing cultural and moral standards.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
How do good and evil relate to law and justice?
Law and justice systems are often based on societal norms of what is considered good and evil.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
Can a good person do evil things?
Yes, a generally good person can commit evil acts, often due to specific circumstances or pressures.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
How do ethical theories address good and evil?
Ethical theories explore good and evil through various lenses like consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
Is the concept of evil necessary for understanding good?
Many argue that understanding evil is essential to fully comprehend the nature of good.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
Are good and evil absolute or relative concepts?
While some view them as absolute, others argue that good and evil are relative, depending on context and perspective.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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