Why Do People Do Bad Things?

"There is one thing that few people will dispute: We are all imperfect and therefore make mistakes and do things that we come to regret. Still, does that explain the many bad deeds, both major and minor, that we see or hear about almost daily, either in person or in the media?"

"Mere oppression may take a wise one act crazy." - Ecclesiastes 7:7.

"The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." - 1 Timothy 6:10, American Standard Version.

"Because sentence against a bad work has not been executed speedily, that is why the heart of the sons of men has become fully set in them to do bad." - Ecclesiastes 8:11.

"Each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin." - James 1:14, 15.

"No temptation has taken you except what is common to men." - 1 Corinthians 10:13.

"He that is walking with wise persons will become wise, but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly." - Proverbs 13:20.

"In spite of human imperfection, people generally acknowledge that there are moral boundaries that should never be crossed and that humans are capable of abstaining from evil acts. Most would also readily agree that there is a difference between inadvertent untruth and outright slander, between causing an accidental injury and committing premeditated murder. Still, shocking deeds are often perpetrated by seemingly ordinary people in the neighborhood. Why? Why so people do bad things?"

"All humans are susceptible to wrong thinking. Every day, we are bombarded with countless suggestions and temptations to do wrong. Even so, the outcome depends on the choice one makes---to dismiss the bad thought quickly or to entertain it and allow it to grow."

---Excerpts from The Watchtower