have no evil

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have no evil" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the absence of wrongdoing or malevolence, often in a philosophical or moral discussion. Example: "In our quest for a better society, we must strive to have no evil in our hearts and actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

We've very smart and inventive and we can change the planet by doing things that have no evil intent.

The Washington Post

"I don't have no evil in my heart towards the boy with the gun," said Mrs. Garvin, whose face seemed sadder than most in the great crowd of mothers converging today on the nation's capital for the Million Mom March.

The New York Times

Maimonides details of the sanctity of tefillin and writes that "as long as the tefillin are on the head and on the arm of a man, he is modest and God-fearing and will not be attracted by hilarity or idle talk; he will have no evil thoughts, but will devote all his thoughts to truth and righteousness".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Furthermore, he had no evil intent.

The Guardian - Opinion

After all, she has had no evil stepmother or wicked witch to battle, having had a largely congenial rapport with her famous parents, the artists Brice and Helen Marden.

The New York Times - Style

James Smart Terrorist, by John Updike (Penguin, £7.99) Updike's take on extremism, half thriller, half character study, has no evil plotter under its spotlight.

The Guardian - Books

In fact, Abelard argues, it can even be just to punish an agent we strongly believe had no evil intention.

SEP

It enhances moral judgment because we can see that the first pirate made a reasonable assumption and had no evil intent.

Huffington Post

For all of us who are grieving today, there is One who sees and hears our cries… He is good and has no evil in Him.

Huffington Post

The actor found it "easy to rationalize what he did" because Dixon was at odds with how to start his own family as a vampire, and he maintains that the character had no evil intentions behind his actions.

Wikipedia

And often when we have done no evil, we have undertaken nothing of good, and so have been guilty of uselessness and neglect.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have no evil" when you want to convey a lack of malicious intent or inherent wickedness in someone's thoughts, actions, or character. For example, in describing a fictional character or assessing motivations.

Common error

Avoid using "have no evil" in contexts where simple mistakes or unintentional harm are involved. The phrase implies a fundamental absence of wickedness, not just a lack of competence or awareness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have no evil" functions as a declarative statement, typically used to describe a state of being or a characteristic. It indicates the absence of wickedness or malicious intent. Ludwig shows examples where it modifies intent, thoughts or character.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have no evil" is a grammatically correct expression used to indicate the absence of wickedness or malicious intent. While Ludwig identifies it as "correct and usable in written English", its usage is relatively uncommon, often appearing in news, wiki or academic contexts. It functions primarily as a declarative statement to convey a moral judgment or ethical assessment. Alternatives such as "possess no malice" or "intend no harm" offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intend no harm

Highlights the absence of harmful intentions behind one's actions.

mean no ill

A more colloquial way of expressing the lack of harmful intent.

possess no malice

Focuses specifically on the absence of ill will or spite.

be devoid of malice

Emphasizes a complete absence of malice or spite.

act without malice

Emphasizes acting in a way that is free from any intent to cause harm or suffering.

operate without malevolence

Highlights a way of acting that is free from bad intentions or harmful actions.

harbor no wickedness

Emphasizes the lack of deep-seated immorality or corruption.

be free from wickedness

Highlights a state of being untouched by evil or immorality.

bear no animosity

Indicates the absence of hostility or strong dislike.

hold no resentment

Focuses on the lack of bitterness or indignation towards someone.

FAQs

What does it mean to "have no evil"?

To "have no evil" means to lack malicious intent, wickedness, or harmful desires. It suggests a state of innocence or moral purity.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "have no evil"?

It's appropriate to use "have no evil" when describing someone's fundamental nature or motivations, emphasizing their lack of inherent wickedness.

What are some alternatives to saying "have no evil"?

Alternatives include "possess no malice", "intend no harm", or "mean no ill", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "have no evil"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase is used to express the absence of evil or malicious intent.