Character Quote by Fran Lebowitz
“You can't go around hoping that most people have sterling moral characters. The most you can hope for is that people will pretend that they do.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New Yorker, 1990s
People often assume others are virtuous, but reality shows many merely act moral.
In simple terms: People pretend to be moral more than they are.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about others' character.
Themes
skepticism
morality
human nature
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- workplace interactions
- political discourse
- online communities
Key Concepts
social psychology
ethical perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you verify someone's integrity?
- When does pretending become harmful?
A Different Perspective
Moral judgments are often based on appearances, not deep character.
![“[Friendships] are easy to get out of compared to love affairs, but they are not easy to get out of compared to, say, jail.” quote by Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cdb/fran-lebowitz-690_affair_friendships-are-easy-to-get-out-of-compa_77324.jpg)
