All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

By Edmund Burke

What does all that is necessary for evil to triumph is good for men to do nothing mean?

Actually, the quote is, "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Perhaps getting the order of the words correct helps with the meaning. It often does so in the English language, unlike some other languages where it sometimes makes little difference. The above quote is attributed to Edmund Burke, a well-known 18th century political philosopher. It has been quoted often in recent years, especially by reform candidates for public office, sometimes without appropriate attribution.

It means that evil is not neutral; if you and/or society stop resisting evil, it will continue to grow and spread. It is a call to arms for people to stop being complacent.

Evil is not neutral and there can be no neutrality exercised toward it. Anyone who is not against it is perforce in favor of it.

【成语】： 袖手旁观 xiù shǒu páng guān

【解释】：把手笼在袖子里在旁观看，在一旁观看。

                    比喻置身事外，既不过问，也不协助别人。

【近义词】：漠不关心、冷眼旁观

【反义词】：挺身而出

【出处】：唐·韩愈《祭柳子厚文》：“不善为斫，血指汗颜，巧匠旁观，缩手袖间。”宋·苏轼《朝辞赴定州论事状》：“奕棋者胜负之形，虽国工有所不尽，而袖手旁观者常尽之。”