"Our virtues are often, in reality, no better than vices disguised"
- Francois de La Rochefoucauld
About this Quote
This quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld suggests that our virtues, or good qualities, are often not as great as they appear. In truth, they might be nothing more than vices, or bad qualities, camouflaged. This implies that we might be deceiving ourselves into thinking that we are better than we in fact are. We may be attempting to hide our true nature by presenting ourselves in a more beneficial light.
This quote can be interpreted in a couple of various ways. It could be viewed as a cautioning to be knowledgeable about our own motivations and to be honest with ourselves. It could also be seen as a suggestion to be modest and to acknowledge that all of us have flaws. It could also be viewed as a pointer to be kind and understanding to others, as we might not understand what they are dealing with. Ultimately, this quote motivates us to be truthful with ourselves and to acknowledge that we all have both good and bad qualities.
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