--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Morality, taken as apart from religion…" description: "\"Morality, taken as apart from religion, is but another name for decency in sin. It is just that negative species of virtue which consists in not doing ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b26/horace-bushnell-10962_character_morality-taken-as-apart-from-religion-is_662629.jpg" --- # Morality, taken as apart from religion, is but another… ![“Morality, taken as apart from religion, is but another name for decency in sin. It is just that negative species of virtue which consists in not doing what is scandalously depraved and wicked. But there is no heart of holy principle in it, any more than there is in the grosser sin.” quote by Horace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b26/horace-bushnell-10962_character_morality-taken-as-apart-from-religion-is_662629.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b26/horace-bushnell-10962_character_morality-taken-as-apart-from-religion-is_662629.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b26/horace-bushnell-10962_character_morality-taken-as-apart-from-religion-is_662629.jpg) > “Morality, taken as apart from religion, is but another name for decency in sin. It is just that negative species of virtue which consists in not doing what is scandalously depraved and wicked. But there is no heart of holy principle in it, any more than there is in the grosser sin.” [Horace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-bushnell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Morality without religion is merely decent behavior, avoiding scandalous wrongdoing, lacking deeper holy principle. **In simple terms:** Decent behavior isn’t enough for true virtue. Key Takeaway Seek deeper moral foundations beyond mere decency. Themes morality religion virtue ethics Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - personal conduct - social norms - legal compliance Key Concepts decent behavior negative virtue Questions to Reflect On - What deeper principles guide your actions? - Can morality exist without religious context? A Different Perspective Decency alone may not inspire true moral growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Decency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decency/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Holy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [Morality, taken as apart from religion, is but another name for decency of sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-bushnell/morality-taken-as-apart-from-religion-is-but-another-name-for-decency-2/) [Horace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-bushnell/) > [I believe that a long step toward public morality will have been taken when sins are called by their right names.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-sunday/i-believe-that-a-long-step-toward-public-morality-will-have-been/) [Billy Sunday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-sunday/) > [“Ladies, I have bad news for you. 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