In private life do we not see hypocrisy, servility…
““In private life do we not see hypocrisy, servility, selfishness, folly, and impudence succeed, while modesty shrinks from the encounter, and merit is trodden under foot? How often is 'the rose plucked from the forehead of a virtuous love to plant a blister there!' What chance is there of the success of real passion? What certainty of its continuance? Seeing all this as I do, and unravelling the web of human life into its various threads of meanness, spite, cowardice, want of feeling, and want of understanding, of indifference towards others, and ignorance of ourselves, – seeing custom prevail over all excellence, itself giving way to infamy – mistaken as I have been in my public and private hopes, calculating others from myself, and calculating wrong; always disappointed where I placed most reliance; the dupe of friendship, and the fool of love; – have I not reason to hate and to despise myself? Indeed I do; and chiefly for not having hated and despised the world enough.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human flaws dominate while virtue is suppressed, leading to self‑contempt.
In simple terms: We often see vice thrive and virtue shrink.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge societal hypocrisy.
Themes
hypocrisy
virtue
self‑reflection
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- political activism
- community leadership
- self‑growth
- ethical decision‑making
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What actions can restore merit in society?
- How do personal biases affect your judgments?
A Different Perspective
Idealism may overlook practical constraints.