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About this quote

What does it mean?
Sometimes doing the right thing requires sacrificing social refinement.
In plain terms
Good taste can conflict with humanity.
What can you take from it?
Prioritize people over propriety.

Where it applies

  • conflict resolution
  • social norms
  • personal values

Putting it to work

  • speak truth kindly
  • choose empathy over formality
  • question etiquette

Questions to consider

  • When is taste less important than truth?
  • Can you have both?

Another view

Propriety often helps maintain order and respect.

More from Bertolt Brecht

  1. Vices have their point once you see it as such, but stick to two for one will be too much.

    Permalink to quote #74
  2. Don't rejoice in his defeat, you men. For though the world stood up and stopped the Bastard, the Bitch that bore him is in heat again.

    Permalink to quote #76
  3. Why be a man when you can be a success?

    Permalink to quote #73

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