Character Quote by Horace Walpole
“Virtue knows to a farthing what it has lost by not having been vice.”
About This Quote
Virtue is undervalued because its loss is less obvious than the gain from vice.
In simple terms: Goodness often goes unnoticed.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the cost of losing virtue.
Themes
morality
philosophy
human nature
value perception
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal decision making
- leadership
- education
- policy making
- social criticism
Key Concepts
ethical theory
psychology of loss
moral economics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you measure moral loss?
- Can vice ever be justified?
A Different Perspective
Virtue may be hard to quantify.
![“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)
