It is by giving fair names to foul actions that those who…
““It is by giving fair names to foul actions that those who would start at real vice are led to practise its lessons, under the disguise of virtue.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Naming immoral acts with respectable terms lets people justify wrongdoing under a veneer of virtue.
In simple terms: Euphemisms hide true moral nature of actions.
Key Takeaway
Be wary of language that sanitizes vice.
Themes
morality
language
virtue
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- politics
- business
- personal conduct
Key Concepts
ethical philosophy
rhetoric
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language shape moral perception?
- When have you seen virtue used to mask vice?
A Different Perspective
Such naming can obscure accountability.