--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If your morals make you dreary, depend…" description: "\"If your morals make you dreary, depend upon it they are wrong. I do not say \"give them up,\" for they may be all you have; but conceal them like a vice,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fc/robert-louis-stevenson-289_character_if-your-morals-make-you-dreary-depend-up_2116230.jpg" --- # If your morals make you dreary, depend upon it they are… ![“If your morals make you dreary, depend upon it they are wrong. I do not say "give them up," for they may be all you have; but conceal them like a vice, lest they should spoil the lives of better and simpler people.” quote by Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fc/robert-louis-stevenson-289_character_if-your-morals-make-you-dreary-depend-up_2116230.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fc/robert-louis-stevenson-289_character_if-your-morals-make-you-dreary-depend-up_2116230.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fc/robert-louis-stevenson-289_character_if-your-morals-make-you-dreary-depend-up_2116230.jpg) > “If your morals make you dreary, depend upon it they are wrong. I do not say "give them up," for they may be all you have; but conceal them like a vice, lest they should spoil the lives of better and simpler people.” [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Rigid moral codes can become oppressive; flexibility and questioning are essential for healthy ethics. **In simple terms:** Strict morals can be harmful. Key Takeaway Question and adapt your moral framework. Themes ethics flexibility individuality Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - personal decision‑making - leadership - counseling - education Key Concepts moral philosophy psychology social conformity Questions to Reflect On - When have you compromised a belief for practicality? - How do you balance personal values with societal expectations? A Different Perspective Over‑relaxing morals may lead to moral relativism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Morals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morals/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Vices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vices/) ## Related quotes > [If your morals make you dreary, depend upon it, they are wrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/if-your-morals-make-you-dreary-depend-upon-it-they-are-wrong/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [If your morals make you dreary, depend on it, they are wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/if-your-morals-make-you-dreary-depend-on-it-they-are-wrong/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [“If thy morals make thee dreary, depend upon it they are wrong”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-thy-morals-make-thee-dreary-depend-upon-it-they-are-wrong/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A man may not transgress the bounds of major morals, but may make errors in minor morals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-man-may-not-transgress-the-bounds-of-major-morals-but-may-make/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Education and morals make the good man, the good statesman, the good ruler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/education-and-morals-make-the-good-man-the-good-statesman-the-good/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [“can’t let other people’s misery spoil our lives. 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