Character Quote by Nathaniel Hawthorne
“Depending upon one another's hearts, ye had still hoped that virtue were not all a dream. Now are ye undeceived. Evil is the nature of mankind.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Scarlet Letter, 1850
Human nature is inherently flawed; virtue may be an illusion.
In simple terms: People are naturally flawed; virtue may be unreal.
Key Takeaway
Recognize imperfection and act with humility.
Themes
human nature
virtue
flaw
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- justice system
- political leadership
- personal growth
Key Concepts
morality
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you believe virtue exists?
- How do you confront human flaws?
A Different Perspective
Virtue can be genuine; not all is evil.
