"The only thing of weight that can be said against modern honor is that it is directly opposite to religion. The one bids you bear injuries with patience, the other tells you if you don't resent them, you are not fit to live"
- Bernard de Mandeville
About this Quote
This quote by Bernard de Mandeville talks to the tension between modern honor and religious beliefs. Mandeville recommends that contemporary honor remains in direct opposition to religion, as religious beliefs encourages us to bear injuries with persistence, while contemporary honor informs us that if we don't resent them, we are not fit to live. This quote speaks to the concept that contemporary honor is often seen as a kind of revenge, where we seek to avenge any wrongs done to us, rather than take the moral high ground and forgive. This quote also talks to the idea that contemporary honor is often seen as a form of pride, where we look for to secure our own honor and credibility, rather than take the moral high ground and forgive. In this way, modern-day honor can be seen as a type of selfishness, where we prioritize our own honor and reputation over the moral mentors of religious beliefs.
"Well, I think any time you delve into this sort of religion, politics, as you well know, you're going to, you know, touch a few nerves. I wasn't - now - and this is the honest truth"