on the side of the angels

Idioms  

1. Supporting the good side, as in Whatever you may think of him, on important issues he's usually on the side of the angels. This expression was coined by Benjamin Disraeli in 1864 in a speech about Darwin's theory that man is descended from apes: “The question is this: Is man an ape or an angel? Now I am on the side of the angels.” Before long it was extended to broader use, specifically to the moral view.

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Example Sentences

For a time, all but the 147 seemed on the side of the angels, and corporations jostled to get on board with their pro-democracy pledges.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 4, 2021

She knows that not everyone who uses her tools is on the side of the angels, but she’s talked herself into a self-conception as a moral actor.

From Slate • Oct. 13, 2020

For one thing, the majority of Americans are still on the side of the angels.

From Salon • Jan. 23, 2020

Facebook is the platform, not some invented knockoff like Faceplace or Mybook, which makes the show feel at times like an extended pitch for a company not always seen on the side of the angels.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 29, 2018

It is true that Lord John was not always on the side of the angels of progress and redress.

From Lord John Russell by Reid, Stuart J. (Stuart Johnson)