Vice, like virtue, Grows in small steps, and no true…
“Vice, like virtue, Grows in small steps, and no true innocence Can ever fall at once to deepest guilt.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Moral character develops gradually; innocence is lost in stages, not all at once.
In simple terms: Virtue and vice build up slowly; innocence erodes gradually.
Recognize that change is incremental.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- relationship counseling
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do small choices accumulate into character?
- Can innocence be restored after a single breach?
Assumes linear progress, ignoring sudden crises.