--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I call not that virginity a virtue, which…" description: "\"I call not that virginity a virtue, which resideth only in the bodies integrity; much less if it be with a purpose of perpetually keeping it: for then ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a0/john-donne-933_character_i-call-not-that-virginity-a-virtue-which_2140719.jpg" --- # I call not that virginity a virtue, which resideth only in… ![“I call not that virginity a virtue, which resideth only in the bodies integrity; much less if it be with a purpose of perpetually keeping it: for then it is a most inhumane vice. - But I call that Virginity a virtue which is willing and desirous to yield itself upon honest and lawful terms, when…” quote by John Donne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a0/john-donne-933_character_i-call-not-that-virginity-a-virtue-which_2140719.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a0/john-donne-933_character_i-call-not-that-virginity-a-virtue-which_2140719.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a0/john-donne-933_character_i-call-not-that-virginity-a-virtue-which_2140719.jpg) > “I call not that virginity a virtue, which resideth only in the bodies integrity; much less if it be with a purpose of perpetually keeping it: for then it is a most inhumane vice. - But I call that Virginity a virtue which is willing and desirous to yield itself upon honest and lawful terms, when just reason requireth; and until then, is kept with a modest chastity of body and mind.” [John Donne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-donne/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Donne distinguishes between forced chastity and consensual, purposeful sexual restraint, valuing the latter as virtuous. **In simple terms:** True virtue is willing, not imposed. Key Takeaway Choose purposeful restraint over imposed purity. Themes virtue chastity consent morality Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical ethical literary When to use this quote - marriage counseling - personal ethics - religious teaching - sexual education Key Concepts ethical philosophy human sexuality autonomy Questions to Reflect On - What does genuine chastity mean to you? - How can consent shape moral choices? A Different Perspective May ignore personal desire and context, leading to repression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Body And Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body-and-mind/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Chastity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chastity/) [Virgin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virgin/) [Virginity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virginity/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [I call not that virginity a virtue, which resideth onely in the bodies integrity; much less if it be with a purpose of perpetually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-donne/i-call-not-that-virginity-a-virtue-which-resideth-onely-in-the-bodies/) [John Donne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-donne/) > [It is one of the superstitions of the human mind to have imagined that virginity could be a virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/it-is-one-of-the-superstitions-of-the-human-mind-to-have-imagined/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [It is difficult to believe in a religion that places such a high premium on chastity and virginity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-difficult-to-believe-in-a-religion-that-places-such-a-high/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“It is preferable to have a virgin mind than a virgin body. 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