You can't measure time by days, the way you measure money by dollars and cents, because dollars are all the same while every day is different and maybe every hour as well.
Jorge Luis BorgesRead
In adultery, there is usually tenderness and self-sacrifice; in murder, courage; in profanation and blasphemy, a certain satanic splendour. Judas elected those offences unvisited by any virtues: abuse of confidence and informing.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that various immoral actions may possess certain virtues or qualities, but betrayal lacks any redeeming value.
Jorge Luis Borges reflects on the nature of various moral transgressions, implying that while actions like adultery, murder, and blasphemy can ironically elicit qualities such as tenderness or courage, betrayal—particularly in the form of betrayal of trust—contains none of these virtues. He emphasizes that Judas's choice to betray is devoid of any honorable characteristics, highlighting the deep psychological and moral implications of such an act.
Themes
BetrayalTrustMoralityPhilosophyVirtues
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about the nature of betrayal and trust in relationships.
More from Jorge Luis Borges
All quotes →To say good-bye is to deny separation; it is to say Today we play at going our own ways, but we'll see each other tomorrow. Men invented farewells because they somehow knew themselves to be immortal, even while seeing themselves as contingent and ephemeral.
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Jorge Luis BorgesRead
Let neither tear nor reproach besmirch this declaration of the mastery of God who, with magnificent irony, granted me both the gift of books and the night.
Jorge Luis BorgesRead
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