Claims Quote by Arthur Helps
“There is an honesty which is but decided selfishness in disguise. The person who will not refrain from expressing his or her sentiments and manifesting his or her feelings, however unfit the time, however inappropriate the place, however painful this expression may be, lays claim, forsooth, to our approbation as an honest person, and sneers at those of finer sensibilities as hypocrites.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Moral Philosophy, 19th century
Claims honest expression often masks selfish motives, critiquing hypocrisy
In simple terms: Honesty can hide selfishness
Key Takeaway
Beware hidden selfishness in honesty
Themes
honesty
selfishness
hypocrisy
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- public discourse
- self‑expression
Key Concepts
Moral psychology
ethical authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- When is frankness truly selfless?
- How can we discern sincere honesty from self‑serving expression?
A Different Perspective
May generalize all honesty as selfish
