Courage Quote by Edith Wharton
“It was the old New York way...the way people who dreaded scandal more than disease, who placed decency above courage, and who considered that nothing was more ill-bred than "scenes", except those who gave rise to them.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The House of Mirth, 1905
Society values reputation and decorum over courage, condemning scandal more than disease.
In simple terms: Society fears scandal more than illness.
Key Takeaway
Balance integrity with courage, not just appearances.
Themes
society
reputation
courage
scandal
morality
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- social gatherings
- political circles
- family events
Key Concepts
social norms
ethical dilemmas
public perception
Questions to Reflect On
- What costs does prioritizing decorum impose?
- How can we foster courage over appearance?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on reputation can stifle truth.
![“I am not a member of the chamber of commerce for show business, believe me, but there are some really good people in the business, and [Tom] Hanks has this everyman decency onscreen, but he actually is that guy.” quote by Kurt Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b01/kurt-fuller-12139_believe_i-am-not-a-member-of-the-chamber-of-comm_68948.jpg)
