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Virtue steals, like a guilty thing, into the secret haunts…

“Virtue steals, like a guilty thing, into the secret haunts of vice and infamy, clings to their devoted victim, and will not be driven quite away. Nothing can destroy the human heart.” quote by William Hazlitt
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“Virtue steals, like a guilty thing, into the secret haunts of vice and infamy, clings to their devoted victim, and will not be driven quite away. Nothing can destroy the human heart.”

William Hazlitt

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Virtue can infiltrate and cling to corrupt individuals, making it hard to eradicate moral decay, yet the human heart remains resilient.

In simple terms: Virtue can cling to the, but the heart endures.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and address hidden moral corruption.

Themes

morality corruption human nature

Mood

reflective serious

Type

philosophical analytical

When to use this quote

  • personal relationships
  • leadership
  • counseling

Key Concepts

ethical infiltration psychology of vice

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does hidden virtue affect behavior?
  • Can moral integrity be restored once compromised?
A Different Perspective

Virtue alone cannot eliminate vice without active effort.

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