It still stops my having any feeling of pride when people…
““It still stops my having any feeling of pride when people think well of what I do, for I say to myself: Since any small good deed I do can be mistaken for a fault, the mistake of calling a fault a virtue can be made just as easily.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker doubts that praise reflects true merit, fearing that good actions may be misinterpreted as flaws, and that praising a flaw as a virtue is easy.
In simple terms: Pride is doubtful when praise may mislabel deeds.
Key Takeaway
Question motives behind praise.
Themes
pride
misinterpretation
virtue
Mood
reflective
skeptical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- workplace feedback
- public recognition
- self‑assessment
Key Concepts
ethical humility
self‑deception
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you trust others' judgments?
- How do you differentiate genuine praise from flattery?
A Different Perspective
The quote assumes all praise is suspect, ignoring sincere appreciation.