inaction in the face of evil is itself a form of evil
“Often injustice lies in what you aren’t doing, not only in what you are doing.”
— Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 9.5
Throughout history, humanity has demonstrated an alarming capacity for evil, not only actively but also passively. The Holocaust stands as one of the most harrowing examples of this dual capacity for wrongdoing. While the active perpetrators of this genocide committed atrocities with horrifying zeal, the passive participants—ordinary citizens who, for various reasons, chose not to intervene—are also marked by a profound moral failure. This silent complicity underscores a crucial lesson: in the face of evil, neutrality is not an option.
Miep Gies, one of the key figures who helped hide Anne Frank and her family, poignantly illustrated this lesson in a note appended to a 1998 biography of Anne Frank. Given all she risked and sacrificed between 1942 and 1944 to aid the Frank family, it was fitting for Gies to have the final word. Her reflections carry an essential message, distilled from the horrors of the Holocaust: good people must not stand by as bad people do bad things.
Millions of Europeans turned a blind eye to the systematic persecution and extermination of Jews during World War II. This widespread indifference was more than shameful; it was a moral failure of colossal proportions. In her note, Gies acknowledged her sorrow that she could not save Anne Frank's life, yet she found solace in knowing she had extended Anne's life by two years and preserved her diary. This diary would go on to reach millions, serving as a powerful reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust and the importance of resistance.
Gies wrote, "It confirms my conviction that any attempt at action is better than inaction. An attempt can go wrong, but inaction inevitably results in failure." Her words capture a fundamental truth: while action carries the risk of failure, inaction guarantees it. This sentiment resonates deeply with Stoic philosophy, which is often misunderstood as a doctrine of resignation. In reality, Stoicism emphasizes the importance of virtuous action, regardless of the outcome.
Miep Gies may never have read Marcus Aurelius, but she embodied his philosophy through her actions. The Stoic belief that trying is what counts, that doing the right thing is paramount, irrespective of the risks or potential for success, was reflected in her life. Her actions during the war demonstrated that theoretical discussions about virtue are meaningless unless they translate into real-world courage and integrity.
The Stoic does not stand by and do nothing. This principle holds true today as much as it did during the dark days of the Holocaust. In a world where injustices continue to occur, the lesson from Miep Gies and the philosophy of Stoicism is clear: it is our duty to act. Whether we succeed or fail, what matters most is that we try. In the face of evil, passive spectatorship is not only inadequate; it is morally indefensible.
