Character Quote by Marquis de Sade
““In order to know virtue, we must acquaint ourselves with vice. Only then can we know the true measure of a man.””
About This Quote
Source Treat: The 120 Days of Sodom, 1785
Virtue is understood only by contrasting it with vice, revealing a person's true character.
In simple terms: Know virtue by seeing vice.
Key Takeaway
Compare good and bad to gauge character.
Themes
ethics
character
morality
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- self‑assessment
- leadership evaluation
- personal growth
- ethical decision‑making
Key Concepts
dualism
comparative analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- How does confronting vice clarify your values?
- Can you measure character without a negative reference point?
A Different Perspective
Virtue may be judged without considering vice in some philosophies.
![“The law which attempts a man's life [capital punishment] is impractical, unjust, inadmissible. It has never repressed crime--for a second crime is every day committed at the foot of the scaffold.” quote by Marquis de Sade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b85/marquis-de-sade-1964_capital-punishment_the-law-which-attempts-a-man-s-life-capi_99486.jpg)
