Character Quote by Donatien Alphonse François de Sade
““Oh, there are plenty of people," the Duc used to observe, "who never misbehave save when passion spurs them to ill; later, the fire gone out of them, their now calm spirit peacefully returns to the path of virtue and, thus passing their life going from strife to error and from error to remorse, they end their days in such a way there is no telling just what roles they have enacted on earth. Such persons," he would continue, "must surely be miserable: forever drifting, continually undecided, their entire life is spent detesting in the morning what they did the evening before. Certain to repent of the pleasures they taste, they take their delight in quaking, in such sort they become at once virtuous in crime and criminal in virtue.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Philosophical Thoughts, 1795
People who act only when passion strikes become trapped in a cycle of regret, never finding lasting peace or consistent virtue.
In simple terms: Passion leads to regret and moral confusion.
Key Takeaway
Seek steady virtue, not fleeting passion.
Themes
morality
passion
regret
consistency
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- career decisions
- political leadership
- everyday moral choices
Key Concepts
ethical philosophy
human nature
self‑control
Questions to Reflect On
- Can you identify moments when passion helped rather than harmed you?
- How might you cultivate steadier values?
A Different Perspective
Passion can also inspire positive change if channeled wisely.
![“The critical question about regret is whether experience led to growth and new learning. Some people seem to keep on making the same mistakes, while others at least make new ones. Regret and remorse can be either paralyzing or inspiring. [p. 199]” quote by Mary Catherine Bateson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/72f/mary-catherine-bateson-11582_critical_the-critical-question-about-regret-is-wh_20978.jpg)
