Never promise more than you can perform.
Publilius SyrusRead
Every vice has its excuse ready.
Interpretation
People often rationalize their unethical behavior with excuses.
This quote reflects the idea that individuals are adept at creating justifications for their wrongdoings. It suggests a human tendency to avoid accountability by providing reasons for actions that might be considered vices or immoral. The ability to craft excuses highlights a deeper understanding of our flaws and the complexities of moral decision-making.
In practice
During a discussion on ethics, this quote can be used to illustrate how people justify negative behavior.
Never promise more than you can perform.
Pain forces even the innocent to lie.
In a heated argument we are apt to lose sight of the truth.
Admonish your friends privately, but praise them openly.
What a tragedy is help where it harms what it supports!
The miser is as much in want of what he has as of what he has not.
Not all the blood of beasts On Jewish altars slain, Could give the guilty conscience peace, Or wash away the stain: But Christ, the heav'nly Lamb, Takes all our sins away, A sacrifice of nobler nam' And richer blood than they.
Civil officials have no business meddling in private religious affairs.
The more I love humanity in general, the less I love man in particular.
Everything I do is somehow rooted in humanity. It's always about people; it's always about ego. It's always about desperation. It's quite existential. You know, 'Am I leading a good life?' That might be because I'm an atheist, and I think this is all we've got, so you better be nice. And have fun.
White racial grievance enjoys automatic credibility, and even when disproven, it is never disqualifying of its bearers.
I worry about global anti-Semitism - not just as a bad idea that originates from bad people, but also as something that arises as a challenge to global order.
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