Let them (the wicked) see the beauty of virtue, and pine…
![“Let them (the wicked) see the beauty of virtue, and pine at having forsaken her. [Lat., Virtutem videant, intabescantque relicta.]” quote by Aulus Persius Flaccus](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/f52/aulus-persius-flaccus-19303_beauty_let-them-the-wicked-see-the-beauty-of-vi_659961.jpg)
“Let them (the wicked) see the beauty of virtue, and pine at having forsaken her. [Lat., Virtutem videant, intabescantque relicta.]”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Virtue is beautiful; when wicked people witness it, they regret missing it, highlighting the contrast between moral goodness and moral failure.
In simple terms: Wicked people envy virtue they reject.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate virtue despite others' scorn.
Themes
ethics
human nature
regret
Mood
cautionary
didactic
Type
literary
moral
When to use this quote
- personal conduct
- leadership
- education
- community standards
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
virtue ethics
social comparison
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do some reject what is good?
- How can virtue be made appealing to the wicked?
A Different Perspective
Virtue may be ignored or despised by the immoral, limiting its social impact.