As any sin passes through its stages from temptation, to…
“As any sin passes through its stages from temptation, to toleration, to approval, its name is first euphemized, then avoided, then forgotten. A colleague tells me that some of his fellow legal scholars call child molestation "intergenerational intimacy": that's euphemism. A good-hearted editor tried to talk me out of using the term "sodomy": that's avoidance. My students don't know the word "fornication" at all: that's forgetfulness.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Words describing wrongdoing become softened, ignored, or erased as society normalizes the act, obscuring its moral gravity.
In simple terms: Euphemisms hide the true nature of sins.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and name wrongdoing plainly.
Themes
ethics
language
social norms
morality
law
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
ethical
When to use this quote
- legal education
- public policy
- media discourse
- teaching ethics
Key Concepts
euphemism
cognitive dissonance
normalization
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language shape our perception of wrongdoing?
- When is softened language justified?
A Different Perspective
Euphemisms can also protect victims by reducing stigma, complicating the issue.