Character Quote by Jean Racine
“Vice, like virtue, Grows in small steps, and no true innocence Can ever fall at once to deepest guilt.”
About This Quote
Source Play: Phèdre by Jean Racine, 1677
Moral character develops gradually; innocence is lost in stages, not all at once.
In simple terms: Virtue and vice build up slowly; innocence erodes gradually.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that change is incremental.
Themes
moral development
growth
innocence
guilt
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- relationship counseling
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do small choices accumulate into character?
- Can innocence be restored after a single breach?
A Different Perspective
Assumes linear progress, ignoring sudden crises.
