---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Weaknesses, so called, are nothing more…"
description: "\"Weaknesses, so called, are nothing more nor less than vice in disguise!\" — Johann Kaspar Lavater"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1da/johann-kaspar-lavater-1399_disguise_weaknesses-so-called-are-nothing-more-no_385502.jpg"
---

#  Weaknesses, so called, are nothing more nor less than vice…

![“Weaknesses, so called, are nothing more nor less than vice in disguise!” quote by Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1da/johann-kaspar-lavater-1399_disguise_weaknesses-so-called-are-nothing-more-no_385502.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1da/johann-kaspar-lavater-1399_disguise_weaknesses-so-called-are-nothing-more-no_385502.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1da/johann-kaspar-lavater-1399_disguise_weaknesses-so-called-are-nothing-more-no_385502.jpg)

> “Weaknesses, so called, are nothing more nor less than vice in disguise!”

[Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Vice often masquerades as a weakness, but it is merely a hidden flaw that undermines character.

**In simple terms:** Weaknesses can be hidden vices.

Key Takeaway

Identify and confront hidden flaws.

Themes

virtue self-awareness integrity

Mood

reflective critical

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

- personal development
- leadership
- ethical decision making

Key Concepts

psychology morality

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you distinguish a true weakness from a self‑justified vice?
- What habits reveal hidden vices?

A Different Perspective

Weaknesses may be rationalized as virtues, making them harder to recognize.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Disguise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disguise/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Vice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vice/) [Vices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vices/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Weakness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weakness/) [Weaknesses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weaknesses/)

## Related quotes

> [“No reading can be called a vice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-harrison/no-reading-can-be-called-a-vice/)

[Sarah Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-harrison/)

> [For that which all men then did virtue call, Is now called vice; and that which vice was hight, Is now hight virtue, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/for-that-which-all-men-then-did-virtue-call-is-now-called-vice-and/)

[Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/)

> [“If she knew me as I really am she would despise me, and certainly not aid or abet my evil designs. To veil their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-beckford/if-she-knew-me-as-i-really-am-she-would-despise-me-and-certainly-not/)

[William Beckford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-beckford/)

> [“The truth is that most of us go to great lengths to disguise our weaknesses.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-idleman/the-truth-is-that-most-of-us-go-to-great-lengths-to-disguise-our/)

[Kyle Idleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-idleman/)

> [Virtue, thou in rags, may challenge more than vice set off with all the trim of greatness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-massinger/virtue-thou-in-rags-may-challenge-more-than-vice-set-off-with-all-the/)

[Philip Massinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-massinger/)

> [Vice: Anything you enjoy that is bad for you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/vice-anything-you-enjoy-that-is-bad-for-you/)

[Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/)

> [Drunkenness does not create vice; it merely brings it into view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/drunkenness-does-not-create-vice-it-merely-brings-it-into-view/)

[Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/)

> [Vice is its own reward. It is virtue which, if it is to be marketed with consumer appeal, must carry Green Shield stamps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/vice-is-its-own-reward-it-is-virtue-which-if-it-is-to-be-marketed/)

[Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/)

> [...virtue is attended by more peace of mind than vice, and meets with a more favourable reception from the world. I am sensible, that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hume/virtue-is-attended-by-more-peace-of-mind-than-vice-and-meets-with-a/)

[David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hume/)

> [“The vision of life is not a "discovery"; it's a "work" and whatever position you occupy demands work. Your life may not be built…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/the-vision-of-life-is-not-a-discovery-it-s-a-work-and-whatever/)

[Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/)

> [Vice is man's nature: virtue is a habit--or a mask.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/vice-is-man-s-nature-virtue-is-a-habit-or-a-mask/)

[William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/)

> [Every virtue is a mean between two extremes, each of which is a vice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/every-virtue-is-a-mean-between-two-extremes-each-of-which-is-a-vice/)

[Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/)

> [It was an odd coincidence that my career took off the same decade as having babies. I often wished it had been different, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-kaczmarek/it-was-an-odd-coincidence-that-my-career-took-off-the-same-decade-as/)

[Jane Kaczmarek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-kaczmarek/)

> [Chastity is a virtue with some, but with many it is almost a vice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/chastity-is-a-virtue-with-some-but-with-many-it-is-almost-a-vice/)

[Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/)

> [Listen, I have a great affection and respect for Joe Biden. I think he's been a great vice president. He's taken on a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-axelrod/listen-i-have-a-great-affection-and-respect-for-joe-biden-i-think-he/)

[David Axelrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-axelrod/)

## More by Johann Kaspar Lavater

> [Neatness begets order; but from order to taste there is the same difference as from taste to genius, or from love to friendship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/neatness-begets-order-but-from-order-to-taste-there-is-the-same/)

[Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/)

> [Habit is altogether too arbitrary a master for me to submit to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/habit-is-altogether-too-arbitrary-a-master-for-me-to-submit-to/)

[Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/)

> [The horse-laugh indicates brutality of character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/the-horse-laugh-indicates-brutality-of-character/)

[Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/)

> [Don't speak evil of someone if you don't know for certain, and if you do know ask yourself, why am I telling it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/don-t-speak-evil-of-someone-if-you-don-t-know-for-certain-and-if-you/)

[Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/)

> [Before thou callest a man hero or genius, investigate whether his exertion has features of indelibility; for all that is celestial, all genius, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/before-thou-callest-a-man-hero-or-genius-investigate-whether-his/)

[Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/)

> [“Si quieres ser sabio, aprende a interrogar razonablemente, a escuchar con atención, a responder serenamente y a callar cuando no tengas nada que decir.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/si-quieres-ser-sabio-aprende-a-interrogar-razonablemente-a-escuchar/)

[Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/)

> [The creditor whose appearance gladdens the heart of a debtor may hold his head in sunbeams and his foot on storms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/the-creditor-whose-appearance-gladdens-the-heart-of-a-debtor-may-hold/)

[Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/)

> [The craftiest trickery are too short and ragged a cloak to cover a bad heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/the-craftiest-trickery-are-too-short-and-ragged-a-cloak-to-cover-a/)

[Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/)

> [Who affects useless singularities has surely a little mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/who-affects-useless-singularities-has-surely-a-little-mind/)

[Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/)

> [Who has a daring eye tell downright truths and downright lies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/who-has-a-daring-eye-tell-downright-truths-and-downright-lies/)

[Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/)

> [True worth is as inevitably discovered by the facial expression, as its opposite is sure to be clearly represented there. The human face is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/true-worth-is-as-inevitably-discovered-by-the-facial-expression-as/)

[Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/)

> [Fools learn nothing from wise men, but wise men learn much from fools.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/fools-learn-nothing-from-wise-men-but-wise-men-learn-much-from-fools/)

[Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/)

> [Who will sacrifice nothing, and enjoy all, is a fool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/who-will-sacrifice-nothing-and-enjoy-all-is-a-fool/)

[Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/)

> [The procrastinator is not only indolent and weak, but commonly, false, too; most of the weak are false.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/the-procrastinator-is-not-only-indolent-and-weak-but-commonly-false/)

[Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/)

> [You may tell a man thou art a fiend, but not your nose wants blowing; to him alone who can bear a thing of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/you-may-tell-a-man-thou-art-a-fiend-but-not-your-nose-wants-blowing/)

[Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/)

[Explore all 245 Johann Kaspar Lavater quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/)

## More Disguise quotes

> [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/)

[Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/)

> [I am a dork in disguise; I love doing stupid stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessie-j/i-am-a-dork-in-disguise-i-love-doing-stupid-stuff/)

[Jessie J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessie-j/)

> [In the indications of female poverty there can be no disguise. No woman dresses below herself from caprice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/in-the-indications-of-female-poverty-there-can-be-no-disguise-no/)

[Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/)

> [My dad's idea of punishment was to dress me up in all green to disguise me as grass, and then throw me in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-callen/my-dad-s-idea-of-punishment-was-to-dress-me-up-in-all-green-to/)

[Bryan Callen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-callen/)

> [Cameras are a lifesaver for very shy people who have nowhere else to hide. Behind a lens they can disguise the fact that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-conroy/cameras-are-a-lifesaver-for-very-shy-people-who-have-nowhere-else-to/)

[Pat Conroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-conroy/)

> [As societies grow decadent, the language grows decadent, too. Words are used to disguise, not to illuminate, action: you liberate a city by destroying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/as-societies-grow-decadent-the-language-grows-decadent-too-words-are/)

[Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/)

> [What if it turns out there really are witches and vampires and werewolves living right here alongside us? After all, what better disguise could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-lukyanenko/what-if-it-turns-out-there-really-are-witches-and-vampires-and/)

[Sergei Lukyanenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-lukyanenko/)

> [From childhood I was compelled to concentrate attention upon myself. This caused me much suffering, but to my present view, it was a blessing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-tesla/from-childhood-i-was-compelled-to-concentrate-attention-upon-myself/)

[Nikola Tesla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-tesla/)

> [The best live among us in disguise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-dudek/the-best-live-among-us-in-disguise/)

[Louis Dudek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-dudek/)

> [Every man is a divinity in disguise, a god playing the fool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/every-man-is-a-divinity-in-disguise-a-god-playing-the-fool/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [I have found that in fiction one is freer to speak the truth, if only because in fiction the truth is not expected or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sington/i-have-found-that-in-fiction-one-is-freer-to-speak-the-truth-if-only/)

[Philip Sington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sington/)

> [“He was a chameleon. He could change his appearance in seconds. He was a master in disguise and he could baffle the best in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avijeet-das/he-was-a-chameleon-he-could-change-his-appearance-in-seconds-he-was-a/)

[Avijeet Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avijeet-das/)

> [Those who cannot conceive of Friendship as a substantive love but only as a disguise or elaboration of Eros betray the fact that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/those-who-cannot-conceive-of-friendship-as-a-substantive-love-but/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Recognize problems as opportunities in disguise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/recognize-problems-as-opportunities-in-disguise/)

Senoraroy

> [Life is. I am. Anything might happen. And I believe I may invest my life with meaning. The uncertainty is a blessing in disguise.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/life-is-i-am-anything-might-happen-and-i-believe-i-may-invest-my-life/)

[Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/)

[Browse all 784 Disguise quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disguise/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Weaknesses, so called, are nothing more nor less than vice in disguise!",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Johann Kaspar Lavater"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/weaknesses-so-called-are-nothing-more-nor-less-than-vice-in-disguise/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Disguise"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/weaknesses-so-called-are-nothing-more-nor-less-than-vice-in-disguise/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1da/johann-kaspar-lavater-1399_disguise_weaknesses-so-called-are-nothing-more-no_385502.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1da/johann-kaspar-lavater-1399_disguise_weaknesses-so-called-are-nothing-more-no_385502.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1da/johann-kaspar-lavater-1399_disguise_weaknesses-so-called-are-nothing-more-no_385502.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Weaknesses, so called, are nothing more nor less than vice in disguise!” — Johann Kaspar Lavater",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Johann Kaspar Lavater",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Weaknesses, so called, are nothing more...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/weaknesses-so-called-are-nothing-more-nor-less-than-vice-in-disguise/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/weaknesses-so-called-are-nothing-more-nor-less-than-vice-in-disguise/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
