They see nothing indecent in sexual intercourse, whether…
““They see nothing indecent in sexual intercourse, whether heterosexual or homosexual, and indulge in it quite openly, in full view of everyone. The only exception was Socrates, who was always swearing that his relations with young men were purely Platonic, but nobody believed him for a moment, and Hyacinthus and Narcissus gave first-hand evidence to the contrary.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Lucian mocks the hypocrisy of moral judgments, noting that even revered figures may hide scandalous behavior.
In simple terms: People often judge others while ignoring their own flaws.
Key Takeaway
Question appearances and seek deeper truth.
Themes
hypocrisy
morality
sexuality
reputation
Mood
skeptical
ironic
Type
satirical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- modern ethics debates
- personal relationships
- cultural criticism
Key Concepts
double standards
public perception
ancient philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this reveal about societal double standards?
- How should we balance respect for historical figures with critical inquiry?
A Different Perspective
Satirical works can exaggerate for effect, not always reflecting reality.