We value virtue but do not discuss it. The honest bookkeeper, the faithful wife, the earnest scholar get little of our attention compared to the embezzler, the tramp, the cheat.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Society tends to praise wrongdoers more than honest or virtuous people.
- In plain terms
- Good people get less attention than bad people.
- What can you take from it?
- Do not expect society to always reward virtue.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do we focus more on bad news?
- How can we appreciate virtue more?
Another view
It assumes all attention goes to negative behavior which is not always true.
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