--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If it be usual to be strongly impressed…" description: "\"If it be usual to be strongly impressed by things that are scarce, why are we so little impressed by virtue?\" — Jean de la Bruyere" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/37a/jean-de-la-bruyere-575_ifs_if-it-be-usual-to-be-strongly-impressed_261639.png" --- # If it be usual to be strongly impressed by things that are… ![“If it be usual to be strongly impressed by things that are scarce, why are we so little impressed by virtue?” quote by Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/37a/jean-de-la-bruyere-575_ifs_if-it-be-usual-to-be-strongly-impressed_261639.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/37a/jean-de-la-bruyere-575_ifs_if-it-be-usual-to-be-strongly-impressed_261639.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/37a/jean-de-la-bruyere-575_ifs_if-it-be-usual-to-be-strongly-impressed_261639.png) > “If it be usual to be strongly impressed by things that are scarce, why are we so little impressed by virtue?” [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People value rarity, yet they often overlook virtue, which is abundant yet underappreciated. **In simple terms:** Scarcity skews perception of value. Key Takeaway Recognize and cherish virtue. Themes values perception rarity virtue Mood thoughtful critical philosophical Type maxim reflective When to use this quote - consumer behavior - leadership - personal growth Key Concepts ethical philosophy psychology of desire Questions to Reflect On - Why do we chase the rare? - How can we elevate virtue’s visibility? A Different Perspective Virtue may be hard to measure objectively. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [“When power is scarce, a little of it is tempting.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/when-power-is-scarce-a-little-of-it-is-tempting/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [For such things as you, I can scarce think there's any, ye're so slight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/for-such-things-as-you-i-can-scarce-think-there-s-any-ye-re-so-slight/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [People in New Zealand go out of their way to not be impressed by things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-lynskey/people-in-new-zealand-go-out-of-their-way-to-not-be-impressed-by/) [Melanie Lynskey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-lynskey/) > [“A great measure of the real value of the things we have is how we feel when such things become scarce and absent in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-agyemang-yeboah/a-great-measure-of-the-real-value-of-the-things-we-have-is-how-we/) [Ernest Agyemang Yeboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-agyemang-yeboah/) > [Cunning is none of the best nor worst qualities; it floats between virtue and vice; there is scarce any exigence where it may not,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/cunning-is-none-of-the-best-nor-worst-qualities-it-floats-between/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [The boom squanders through malinvestment scarce factors of production and reduces the stock available through overconsumption; its alleged blessings are paid for by impoverishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/the-boom-squanders-through-malinvestment-scarce-factors-of-production/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [I repeat, sir, that in whatever position you place a woman she is an ornament to society and a treasure to the world. 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