“Where is Good? In our reasoned choices. Where is Evil? In our reasoned choices. Where is that which is neither Good nor Evil? In the things outside of our own reasoned choices.” Epictetus, Discourses.

Why is it that sometimes making the right decision is difficult? If you are clear in your own mind about what you think is right and what you think is wrong, then ultimately you can use that ability to reason and choose wisely. However, emotions can get in the way and distort that reasoned thinking. The emotional need for instant gratification can tempt you to grasp at the alluring reward, or make you take the path of least resistance so as to avoid pain and unpleasantness.

Do you worry about having to break bad news, but know it’s the right thing to do? You could call that being ‘cruel to be kind’. The key word is ‘kind’: what is the positive, ‘good’ end that you have in mind?