IV. The Origin of Evil

One ought not to say that the world is imperfect or incomplete because it contains evil; rather it is complete for that very reason. When a painting depicts wonderful figures of light, together with dark devils, the picture would be spoiled if the devils were removed. The world creator needed evil in order that good could evolve. A good is only good if it has stood the test of evil. For love to reach its highest goal, the love of all, it must pass through the love of self In Faust, Goethe rightly causes Mephistopheles to say: “I am an aspect of the power that always intends evil, and always creates good.”