Character Quote by Mary Wollstonecraft
““Surely there can be but one rule of right, if morality has an eternal foundation, and whoever sacrifices virtue, strictly so called, to present convenience, or whose DUTY it is to act in such a manner, lives only for the passing day, and cannot be an accountable creature. The poet then should have dropped his sneer when he says, "If weak women go astray, The stars are more in fault than they." For that they are bound by the adamantine chain of destiny is most certain, if it be proved that they are never to exercise their own reason, never to be independent, never to rise above opinion, or to feel the dignity of a rational will that only bows to God, and often forgets that the universe contains any being but itself, and the model of perfection to which its ardent gaze is turned, to adore attributes that, softened into virtues, may be imitated in kind, though the degree overwhelms the enraptured mind.””
About This Quote
Moral integrity requires adhering to eternal virtues rather than fleeting convenience; true accountability demands rational will aligned with higher principles.
In simple terms: Virtue over convenience ensures true moral accountability.
Key Takeaway
Uphold timeless moral principles.
Themes
ethics
philosophy
virtue
accountability
reason
destiny
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal decisions
- legal judgments
- leadership choices
- public policy
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
rational will
spiritual duty
Questions to Reflect On
- What virtues guide your actions?
- How do you balance reason with compassion?
A Different Perspective
May conflict with pragmatic needs.
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