Virtue will catch as well as vice by contact; and the…
“Virtue will catch as well as vice by contact; and the public stock of honest manly principle will daily accumulate. We are not too nicely to scrutinize motives as long as action is irreproachable. It is enough (and for a worthy man perhaps too much) to deal out its infamy to convicted guilt and declared apostasy.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Virtue spreads through regular contact with moral examples, while honesty builds a public stock that grows when actions are beyond.
In simple terms: Good habits form by seeing them daily.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate honest environments.
Themes
morality
social influence
integrity
Mood
thoughtful
optimistic
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- workplace culture
- community leadership
- public policy
- education curricula
Key Concepts
civic virtue
ethical behavior
reputation
Questions to Reflect On
- Can you model virtue in everyday interactions?
- How does a culture of integrity affect trust?
A Different Perspective
Societal change is slow and may resist.