Character Quote by William Butler Yeats
“Only the wasteful virtues earn the sun.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Second Coming” (1919)
The quote suggests that virtues that are wasteful—those that are empty or self‑serving—are the ones that gain recognition or success
Key Takeaway
Empty virtues attract praise
Themes
Seek genuine, purposeful actions
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- Moral philosophy
- social critique
Key Concepts
integrity
authenticity
recognition
Practical Applications
- career advancement
- political leadership
- public speaking
- media influence
Questions to Reflect On
- What virtues do you value in yourself?
- How do you differentiate genuine merit from empty accolades?
A Different Perspective
Superficial virtues can mask deeper flaws
