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A private sin is not so prejudicial in this world, as a public indecency.
Miguel De Cervantes
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Private sins are less harmful than public wrongdoings.

This quote by Miguel De Cervantes suggests that sins or wrongdoings committed in private are generally perceived as less damaging than those that are made public. It reflects on the societal impact of our actions, indicating that the way we present ourselves publicly has greater weight and consequences than our private transgressions. This speaks to the importance of public perception and the moral standards by which society evaluates behavior.

Themes

SinPublicPrivateIndecencySocietyMorality

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion on ethics, one might use this quote to highlight the importance of public accountability.

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If you are ambitious of climbing up to the difficult, and in a manner inaccessible, summit of the Temple of Fame, your surest way is to leave on one hand the narrow path of Poetry, and follow the narrower track of Knight-Errantry, which in a trice may raise you to an imperial throne.
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