If we lived in a State where virtue was profitable, common…
“If we lived in a State where virtue was profitable, common sense would make us good, and greed would make us saintly. And we'd live like animals or angels in the happy land that /needs/ no heroes. But since in fact we see that avarice, anger, envy, pride, sloth, lust and stupidity commonly profit far beyond humility, chastity, fortitude, justice and thought, and have to choose, to be human at all... why then perhaps we /must/ stand fast a little --even at the risk of being heroes.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
If virtue were rewarded, people would naturally be good; because greed rewards vice, moral choices become heroic acts.
In simple terms: Virtue isn’t profitable, so we must choose it deliberately.
Key Takeaway
Choose virtue despite societal incentives.
Themes
morality
virtue
societal pressure
Mood
thoughtful
determined
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- business decisions
- political leadership
- personal integrity
- social activism
Key Concepts
philosophy
ethics
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What motivates you to act virtuously when it’s unrewarded?
- Can society be restructured to reward virtue?
A Different Perspective
Not everyone can sustain heroic choices under constant pressure.