Century Quote by Aldous Huxley
“One of the great triumphs of the nineteenth century was to limit the connotation of the word "immoral" in such a way that, for practical purposes, only those were immoral who drank too much or made too copious love. Those who indulged in any or all of the other deadly sins could look down in righteous indignation on the lascivious and the gluttonous… In the name of all lechers and boozers I most solemnly protest against the invidious distinction made to our prejudice.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Ape and Essence by Aldous Huxley, 1948
The quote critiques how society narrows moral condemnation to a few vices while ignoring many others, exposing hypocrisy in moral judgments.
In simple terms: Society often labels only certain sins as immoral, ignoring others.
Key Takeaway
Question broader, consistent moral standards.
Themes
hypocrisy
morality
social critique
Mood
critical
ironic
provocative
Type
philosophical
satirical
When to use this quote
- legal reform
- public discourse
- education
- media analysis
Key Concepts
ethical relativism
double standards
cultural bias
Questions to Reflect On
- What other behaviors are unfairly excused?
- How does language shape moral perception?
A Different Perspective
Such narrowing can reinforce prejudice and ignore systemic issues.
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