A very small offence may be a just cause for great…
“A very small offence may be a just cause for great resentment: it is often much less the particular instance which is obnoxious to us than the proof it carries with it of the general tenor and disposition of the mind from whence it sprung.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Minor offenses can trigger disproportionate resentment because they symbolize deeper moral decay.
In simple terms: Small wrongs can spark big anger.
Key Takeaway
Address underlying attitudes, not just actions.
Themes
morality
resentment
perception
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- workplace conflicts
- political debates
- personal relationships
- social media criticism
Key Concepts
symbolic meaning
psychology of grievance
Questions to Reflect On
- What deeper values are threatened by the small offense?
- How can we respond without inflating resentment?
A Different Perspective
People may dismiss the broader implication of minor incidents.