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[I]t would be a piece of ingenuousness to accuse the man…

“[I]t would be a piece of ingenuousness to accuse the man of to-day of his lack of moral code. The accusation would leave him cold, or rather, would flatter him. Immoralism has become a commonplace, and anybody and everybody boasts of practising it.” quote by Jose Ortega y Gasset
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“[I]t would be a piece of ingenuousness to accuse the man of to-day of his lack of moral code. The accusation would leave him cold, or rather, would flatter him. Immoralism has become a commonplace, and anybody and everybody boasts of practising it.”

Jose Ortega y Gasset

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Accusing modern people of lacking morals is naive; immorality is now common and even praised.

In simple terms: Moral accusations are naive; immorality is normalized.

Key Takeaway

Question assumptions about modern morality.

Themes

ethics society modernity

Mood

critical analytical

Type

philosophical social‑commentary

When to use this quote

  • civic discourse
  • education reform

Key Concepts

philosophy social critique

Questions to Reflect On

  • What defines morality today?
  • How does praise of immorality affect society?
A Different Perspective

Moral standards are shifting.

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