Famous quote by Marquis de Sade

"One is never so dangerous when one has no shame, than when one has grown too old to blush"

About this Quote

The Marquis de Sade's quote, "One is never so hazardous when one has no shame, than when one has grown too old to blush", uses a provocative expedition of human nature and morality. At its core, the declaration recommends a transformation in how risk, or perhaps disobedience, is viewed as one ages and builds up life experiences.

The expression "one is never ever so dangerous when one has no embarassment" points to the inherent threat postured by shamelessness. When people lack pity, they might act without regard for social norms or the influence on others, driven purely by desire, impulse, or ideology. This state of being, unconstrained by social limitations, can result in unforeseeable, and potentially hazardous, actions. Shameless people operate outside the bounds of conventional morality, and their actions can interrupt social order and cause worry.

The latter part of the quote, "than when one has grown too old to blush", introduces a nuanced point of view on age and experience. To blush is to show humiliation, a physical symptom of recognizing one's discrepancy from accepted standards. As individuals age, they might become desensitized to the judgments of others or less concerned with social approval. This desensitization doesn't necessarily suggest the lack of embarassment, however rather, a decreased reaction to it. Older individuals may exhibit a harmful form of liberty, informed by the wisdom and clarity gained through lived experiences. Their actions, whether rebellious or liberating, carry a deliberateness that can be frightening.

In combining these concepts, de Sade recommends that the mix of shamelessness and the indifference of age can lead to a formidable personality. Without the constraints of social conformity and with the strategic understanding that includes years, such individuals end up being unpredictable and possibly more subversive. In essence, de Sade's quote functions as a commentary on the effectiveness of unrestrained human nature, challenging the reader to review the balance between societal standards and individual liberty.

About the Author

France Flag This quote is written / told by Marquis de Sade between June 2, 1740 and December 2, 1814. He/she was a famous Novelist from France. The author also have 36 other quotes.
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