Why “Selective Sins” Explains More About Our Decisions Than We Admit
The image quote — “All of us are selective sinners. We choose the sins we are comfortable with, and judge others that commit the ones we’re not comfortable with.” — is a short, sharp mirror. It forces a look at how bias, identity and convenience shape moral judgement and everyday choices. Whether you lead a team, manage money, or simply want to be a better neighbour, this line helps explain why people excuse some behaviour and condemn others, even when the actions are essentially similar.
People tend to filter their moral view through several lenses: social norms, self-interest, fear of reputational loss, and convenience. The result is selective tolerance — we rationalize what fits our identity and attack what doesn’t. This post breaks the idea down practically, links it to real-world decisions (including investing and leadership), and gives a short checklist to reduce selective judgement in your decisions.
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What The Quote Really Means — A Practical Translation
At its core, the quote points to two consistent human behaviours:
- Selective moral framing: We subconsciously pick which acts count as “sins” and which are acceptable, based on how those acts affect our interests or identity.
- Projection and policing: We project our discomfort onto others and police the behaviours that make us uncomfortable while excusing our own similar acts.
This pattern is visible in politics, workplace cultures, social media, and yes — markets. Investors praise “bold” founders when they take aggressive risks that align with their thesis, but they are quick to demonise different risk-takers when outcomes are poor or inconvenient.
Why Investors and Leaders Should Care
Selective judgement creates blind spots. A board that tolerates one form of aggressive accounting because it produces profit, while condemning another company for the same behaviour, increases governance risk and reduces long-term value. Investors who excuse violations in favoured companies may underestimate downside risk. Leaders who allow “favoured” breaches of policy erode trust and set inconsistent precedents.
Practical example: If a company’s CEO stretches revenue recognition and the investor community overlooks it because top-line growth looks good, the selective tolerance raises the probability of a surprise restatement later. That’s why consistent standards — not selective comfort — create sustainable returns.
How Cognitive Biases Drive Selective Judgement
Several well-studied biases explain the pattern:
- Confirmation bias: We accept information confirming our beliefs and dismiss contradictory evidence.
- In-group bias: We favour people who belong to our group — teammates, customers, shareholders — and excuse their faults.
- Self-serving bias: We attribute our success to skill and others’ success to luck, or vice versa when convenient.
- Motivated reasoning: We form conclusions that serve emotional or material needs rather than objective truth.
A Short Playbook To Reduce Selective Judgement
Below are concrete steps you can apply immediately — works for portfolio managers, team leads, and individuals who want fairer decisions:
- Define standards first: Write explicit, measurable rules for evaluation before you see outcomes. For example, a portfolio rule: “Sell if drawdown exceeds 15% on a position unless the thesis is intact and corroborated by metrics A, B, C.”
- Use a devil’s advocate: Appoint someone to challenge consensus views and test assumptions.
- Test symmetrically: For every exception you allow, require documented rationale and board-level approval — no informal tolerances.
- Log decisions: Keep a decision journal with reasons recorded at the time of decision; review after outcomes to spot pattern biases.
- Rotate perspectives: Periodically review your conclusions as if you were an outsider with a different incentive set.
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Common Objections — Answered
“Isn’t some selective tolerance inevitable?” Yes. The aim is not perfection but awareness. Small, deliberate tolerances with documented reasons are less harmful than large, habitual exceptions.
“Aren’t contexts different?” Context matters; consistent criteria across similar contexts does not. If contexts differ materially, explain the differences rather than hiding behind convenience.
A Mini Checklist For Evaluating Fairness
- Have evaluation criteria been set before outcomes were visible?
- Are exceptions logged and reviewed publicly (or within governance)?
- Is there symmetry in treatment across comparable actors?
- Does personal benefit influence the judgement?
- Is the rationale for tolerance replicable and defensible?
Why This Matters For Organisations
Organisations with consistent standards build trust: employees know the rules, investors know governance is credible, and customers experience predictable behaviour. Selective tolerance destroys these assets slowly — reputational decay, regulatory scrutiny, and internal morale issues follow.
Final Practical Takeaways
1. Awareness is the first defence — notice when you feel discomfort about others but not about yourself.
2. Create pre-commitment rules — for investing, leadership, or personal conduct — and stick to them.
3. Use documented exceptions sparingly and transparently.
4. Build mechanisms (journals, devil’s advocates, independent reviews) to force symmetry.
Investor Takeaway
Indian-Share-Tips.com Nifty Expert Gulshan Khera, CFP®, who is also a SEBI Regd Investment Adviser, notes that selective tolerance often masks real risks in portfolios and organisations. Investors should prioritise companies and teams that publish transparent rules and apply them consistently. In personal decision-making, pre-defined criteria, documentation, and external challenge are practical ways to reduce biased judgement and improve long-term outcomes.
Discover more disciplined frameworks and research-driven strategies at Indian-Share-Tips.com, which is a SEBI Registered Advisory Services.
Related Queries On Bias, Ethics And Decision Making
- How Do Cognitive Biases Affect Investment Decisions?
- What Are Practical Ways To Improve Governance And Fairness?
- Can Decision Journals Improve Portfolio Performance?
SEBI Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Readers must perform their own due diligence and consult a registered investment advisor before making any investment decisions. The views expressed are general in nature and may not suit individual investment objectives or financial situations.
