Character Quote by Algernon Charles Swinburne
“To say of shame - what is it? Of virtue - we can miss it; Of sin-we can kiss it, And it's no longer sin.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Shame of Virtue”, 1866
Virtue, shame, and sin are fluid; moral labels shift.
In simple terms: Morality is fluid.
Key Takeaway
Question rigid moral judgments.
Themes
morality
virtue
shame
sin
Mood
reflective
poetic
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- ethical debates
- personal decisions
- social norms
Key Concepts
ethical relativism
philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you define sin?
- Can virtue be shameful?
A Different Perspective
Moral certainty can be limiting.
