Beautiful face Quote by Plutarch
““For as we would wish that a painter who is to draw a beautiful face, in which there is yet some imperfection, should neither wholly leave out, nor yet too pointedly express what is defective, because this would deform it, and that spoil the resemblance; so since it is hard, or indeed perhaps impossible, to show the life of a man wholly free from blemish, in all that is excellent we must follow truth exactly, and give it fully; any lapses or faults that occur, through human passions or political necessities, we may regard rather as the shortcomings of some particular virtue, than as the natural effects of vice; and may be content without introducing them, curiously and officiously, into our narrative, if it be but out of tenderness to the weakness of nature, which has never succeeded in producing any human character so perfect in virtue as to be pure from all admixture and open to no criticism.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Parallel Lives, Life of Demetrius, c. 100 AD
Human character is inevitably flawed; honest portrayal should reveal virtues fully while acknowledging imperfections without exaggeration.
In simple terms: People are imperfect; tell their story truthfully.
Key Takeaway
Present virtues honestly, accept flaws.
Themes
honesty
human nature
virtue
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- biography
- historical analysis
- character study
- political commentary
Key Concepts
philosophy
ethics
literature
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance truth and compassion in storytelling?
- When is it acceptable to omit flaws?
A Different Perspective
Idealizing perfection ignores reality and misleads.
