No indulgence of passion destroys the spiritual nature so much as respectable selfishness.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker argues that selfishness disguised as politeness harms the spirit more than open passion.
- In plain terms
- Respectable selfishness hurts more than open passions.
- What can you take from it?
- Beware of selfishness disguised as respectability.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do we hide selfishness?
- What is true integrity?
Another view
Social norms often require some degree of reserve.
More from George MacDonald
Man finds it hard to get what he wants, because he does not want the best; God finds it hard to give, because He would give the best, and man will not take it.
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