This thing in itself is not evil

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Jackson6612

#557326 Thu, 21 Aug 08 10:14 PM

Are both of the sentences correct? If they are, then what is the difference in meaning? No article is used with evil. Is it okay?
1: This thing by itself is not evil.
2: This thing in itself is not evil.

Jackson6612

Joined on Wed, Dec 27 2006

Senior Member (3,197)

NOTE: When you reply to my post, please look for mistakes in grammar, syntax or punctuation, and let me know of any suggestions you have. Thank you.

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CalifJim

#557333 Thu, 21 Aug 08 10:34 PM

A thing by itself is alone, unaccompanied by some other thing.

A thing in itself is a thing considered only from the viewpoint of its being what it is, not from the viewpoint of what someone might do with it.

Without an article, evil is simply an adjective. There's nothing wrong with this.

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (17,794)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

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Clive

#557348 Thu, 21 Aug 08 11:42 PM

Hi,

This thing in itself is not evil.

Here's a simple example of how you might use this phrase.

A gun in itself is not evil, but it can be used by an evil man to do evil things.

Best wishes, Clive