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There are some faults so nearly allied to excellence that…

“There are some faults so nearly allied to excellence that we can scarce weed out the vice without eradicating the virtue.” quote by Oliver Goldsmith
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“There are some faults so nearly allied to excellence that we can scarce weed out the vice without eradicating the virtue.”

Oliver Goldsmith

About This Quote

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

Excellence and vice can be so intertwined that removing one may also diminish the other.

In simple terms: Good and bad traits can be tightly linked.

Key Takeaway

Balance removal with preservation.

Themes

ethics virtue vice nuance

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

  • personal development
  • leadership decisions
  • ethical dilemmas
  • character assessment

Key Concepts

Moral philosophy human nature

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can one improve a flaw without losing a strength?
  • What safeguards preserve virtue during reform?
A Different Perspective

Removing vice may unintentionally harm virtue.

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