No one can build his security upon the nobleness of…
“No one can build his security upon the nobleness of another person. Two people, when they love each other, grow alike in their tastes and habits and pride, but their moral natures (whatever we may mean by that canting expression) are never welded. The base one goes on being base, and the noble one noble, to the end.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People cannot rely on others' virtue for their own safety; character remains individual and unchanged despite close relationships.
In simple terms: Character stays personal, not borrowed.
Cultivate your own moral strength.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- marriage
- friendship
- business partnerships
- team projects
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you maintain personal integrity in close relationships?
- What risks arise from depending on another's moral standing?
Relying on others' virtue can lead to disappointment when they falter.