But will you be able to say what is right and what is…
““But will you be able to say what is right and what is wrong any longer, if you don’t know for whom anything is right and for whom anything is wrong--whether it is for men with immortal souls, or only with mortal bodies--who are only a little lower than the angels, or only a little better than the pigs? Whilst you can still contrive to doubt upon this matter, whilst the fabric of the old faith is still dissolving only, life still for you, the enlightened few, may preserve what happiness it has now. But when the old fabric is all dissolved, what then? When all divinity shall have gone from love and heroism, and only utility and pleasure shall be left, what then?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage warns that without clear moral anchors, society may lose its sense of right and wrong, reducing life to mere utility and pleasure.
In simple terms: Without moral foundations, life becomes only about usefulness and pleasure.
Key Takeaway
Guard moral values to avoid a purely utilitarian world.
Themes
morality
philosophy
societal decay
human nature
Mood
thoughtful
concerned
serious
Type
philosophical
critical
reflective
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- education curricula
- personal decision making
- community building
Key Concepts
ethical relativism
existential risk
value erosion
Questions to Reflect On
- What values should guide us when traditional beliefs fade?
- How can we balance utility with deeper meaning?
A Different Perspective
Moral clarity is hard to maintain in pluralistic societies.