---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is not a virtue, but a deceptive copy…"
description: "\"It is not a virtue, but a deceptive copy and imitation of virtue, when we are led to the performance of duty by pleasure as its recompense.\" — Marcus T..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5c/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_character_it-is-not-a-virtue-but-a-deceptive-copy_521939.jpg"
---

#  It is not a virtue, but a deceptive copy and imitation of…

![“It is not a virtue, but a deceptive copy and imitation of virtue, when we are led to the performance of duty by pleasure as its recompense.” quote by Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5c/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_character_it-is-not-a-virtue-but-a-deceptive-copy_521939.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5c/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_character_it-is-not-a-virtue-but-a-deceptive-copy_521939.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5c/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_character_it-is-not-a-virtue-but-a-deceptive-copy_521939.jpg)

> “It is not a virtue, but a deceptive copy and imitation of virtue, when we are led to the performance of duty by pleasure as its recompense.”

[Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/)

## About This Quote

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

Performing duty for pleasure corrupts the moral value of the act, turning it into a false imitation of virtue.

**In simple terms:** Doing good for reward is not true virtue.

Key Takeaway

Seek duty for its own sake.

Themes

ethics motivation integrity

Mood

reflective serious

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

- public service
- professional responsibility
- personal habits
- education
- leadership

Key Concepts

virtue ethics moral psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- What motivates your sense of duty?
- Can you separate duty from desire for praise?

A Different Perspective

Reward‑driven actions may erode intrinsic motivation over time.

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[Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Copies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/copies/) [Deceptive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deceptive/) [Deceptive Copy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deceptive-copy-4402136/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Duty Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty-pleasure-472471/) [Imitation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imitation/) [Imitation Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imitation-virtue-2577818/) [Performances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performances/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Recompense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recompense/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Virtue Deceptive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue-deceptive-4402135/)

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