"Because impudence is a vice, it does not follow that modesty is a virtue; it is built upon shame, a passion in our nature, and may be either good or bad according to the actions performed from that motive"

Bernard de Mandeville's quote challenges the simple dichotomy often drawn in between virtues and vices. At face value, the declaration recommends a crucial assessment of what makes up ethical behavior, urging us to look beyond surface-level categorizations of vice and virtue.

Mandeville begins by presuming that even if impudence, which connotes boldness or shamelessness, is widely considered a vice, it does not inherently make modesty a virtue. This assertion highlights the dangers of binary thinking in moral philosophy, recommending that the opposite of a vice is not always virtuous. In this context, modesty is not inherently great or preferable in every scenario.

The quote even more looks into the intricacy of human feelings and motivations by associating modesty with shame, a basic human enthusiasm. Mandeville suggests that modesty is not a standalone virtue but is deeply connected to the underlying feeling of embarassment. This link presents an element of ethical uncertainty. If embarassment encourages modesty, and if embarassment is a fundamental part of humanity efficient in leading to both favorable and negative outcomes, then modesty itself can lead to various moral actions or decisions depending on how it is channeled or revealed.

By presenting modesty as something "built on embarassment", Mandeville suggests that the moral value of actions originated from modesty-- whether they are good or regrettable-- is context-dependent. This point of view motivates a more nuanced understanding of ethical behavior, where the virtue of an action is not evaluated exclusively by the label attached to it, but by the results and objectives it manifests. It welcomes one to reflect on their inspirations and the wider ramifications of their actions, rather than sticking strictly to social standards.

In general, Mandeville's quote underscores the complexity of moral approach and the requirement for a more critical approach in examining what we consider virtuous or vicious. It challenges readers to consider the inspirations and repercussions behind actions instead of relying exclusively on traditional ethical classifications.