"Evil has no substance of its own, but is only the defect, excess, perversion, or corruption of that which has substance"

John Henry Newman's quote, "Evil has no substance of its own, but is only the problem, excess, perversion, or corruption of that which has compound," presents an extensive point of view on the nature of evil. Newman recommends that evil does not exist as an independent entity having its own essence or compound. Instead, it manifests as a distortion or deviation from what is naturally great or considerable.

This viewpoint aligns with the conventional philosophical and doctrinal view that views evil as a privation of great. In this structure, all things produced are basically good, as they stem from a benevolent source. Hence, wicked emerges not as a completing force however as a deterioration of what is intrinsically important or purposeful.

The terms "flaw," "excess," "perversion," and "corruption" indicate various methods which substance, or the good, can be jeopardized. A "problem" implies an absence or absence of some quality that ought to naturally be present. For example, blindness is considered a problem of sight, not a compound of its own. "Excess" refers to a disproportion or overabundance of a specific quality, leading to imbalance and harm, such as overindulgence resulting in dependency.

"Perversion" recommends a twisting or misdirection of something towards unsuitable ends, where the original purpose is overturned. Corruption, on the other hand, denotes the decay or destruction of something when pure or whole, such as an ethical being succumbing to unethical behavior.

By framing evil in this manner, Newman moves focus from seeing evil as an external challenger to recognizing it as an internal struggle within individuals and systems. This analysis highlights the potential for redemption and reform, as it recommends that by addressing these deficiencies or imbalances, one can restore the inherent goodness of a compound. Evil, then, becomes a call to alertness and an opportunity for development, challenging individuals and societies to strive for balance, pureness, and alignment with their real nature.