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Contempt is a kind of gangrene which, if it seizes one…

“Contempt is a kind of gangrene which, if it seizes one part of a character, corrupts all the rest by degrees.” quote by Samuel Johnson
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“Contempt is a kind of gangrene which, if it seizes one part of a character, corrupts all the rest by degrees.”

Samuel Johnson

About This Quote

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

Contempt spreads like gangrene, corrupting a character gradually if it takes hold.

In simple terms: Contempt corrupts character like gangrene.

Key Takeaway

Guard against contempt to preserve integrity.

Themes

character corruption emotion

Mood

cautionary serious

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

  • personal relationships
  • leadership
  • ethical decisions
  • conflict resolution

Key Concepts

moral decay psychology self‑awareness

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you recognize early signs of contempt?
  • What habits protect your character?
A Different Perspective

Contempt can be subtle and hard to detect.

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