It is easier to make a saint out of a libertine than out of a prig.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A person who acknowledges their flaws has more potential for genuine reform than someone who is hypocritically self-righteous.
- In plain terms
- A flawed person who knows it can become saintlier than a hypocrite.
- What can you take from it?
- Self-awareness is more valuable for growth than moral posturing.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What traits enable true change?
- How does pride hinder growth?
Another view
The distinction relies on stereotypes about libertines and prigs that may not hold universally.
More from George Santayana
Intolerance is a form of egotism, and to condemn egotism intolerantly is to share it.
Permalink to quote #52 Love makes us poets and the approach of death makes us philosophers.
Permalink to quote #54 Gold is tried in the fire and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity.
Permalink to quote #51
Related quotes
La vertu s'avilit a se justifier.
VoltaireVoltaire quote #1 A prig always finds a last refuge in responsibility.
Jean CocteauJean Cocteau quote #2 Humility is a virtue all preach, none practice; and yet everybody is content to hear.
John SeldenJohn Selden quote #3