In vain we call old notions fudge, And bend our conscience to our dealing; The Ten Commandments will not budge, And stealing will continue stealing.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Lowell argues that moral laws are unchangeable and that trying to rationalize bad behavior does not stop immoral acts like stealing from continuing.
- In plain terms
- You cannot talk yourself out of moral rules; bad habits continue regardless.
- What can you take from it?
- Moral laws persist despite human rationalization.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do we ignore moral rules?
- Can rules change with time?
Another view
The poem assumes morality is fixed and universal without proof.
More from James Russell Lowell
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