Nobility Quote by Horace Walpole
““But alas! my Lord, what is blood! what is nobility! We are all reptiles, miserable, sinful creatures. It is piety alone that can distinguish us from the dust whence we sprung, and whither we must return.””
About This Quote
Source Letter: Correspondence, 1760s
It laments human frailty, likening people to lowly reptiles, and claims piety alone separates us from our base origins.
In simple terms: Human nature is sinful; piety elevates.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate humility and moral discipline.
Themes
human frailty
morality
piety
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- religious preaching
- ethical education
- personal introspection
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
theology
existentialism
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What role does compassion play?
- Is piety alone enough for virtue?
A Different Perspective
Piety may not be sufficient for moral improvement.
![“René of Anjou [(1409-80)] painted a picture of his mistress's corpse as he found it eaten by worms on having it [her tomb] openedon his return from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. This [is] another instance of the strange mixture of religion and gallantry in those ages.” quote by Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aba/horace-walpole-3357_age_ren-of-anjou-1409-80-painted-a-picture-o_33917.jpg)
