No man, however enslaved to his appetites, or hurried by…
“No man, however enslaved to his appetites, or hurried by his passions, can, while he preserves his intellects unimpaired, please himself with promoting the corruption of others. He whose merit has enlarged his influence would surely wish to exert it for the benefit of mankind. Yet such will be the effect of his reputation, while he suffers himself to indulge in any favourite fault, that they who have no hope to reach his excellence will catch at his failings, and his virtues will be cited to justify the copiers of his vices.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Intellect and virtue should guide actions, not selfish desires, yet personal flaws can tarnish a reputation and influence others negatively.
In simple terms: Virtue must guide actions, not selfishness.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate integrity and avoid hypocrisy.
Themes
ethics
leadership
integrity
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- business management
- education
- community service
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do personal flaws affect public influence?
- Can reputation outweigh personal merit?
A Different Perspective
Even virtuous people can be misused as examples of vice.