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Virtue she finds too painful an endeavour, content to dwell in decencies for ever.
Alexander Pope
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The pursuit of virtue can be challenging, leading some to settle for mere decency instead.

In this quote, Alexander Pope suggests that the pursuit of true virtue is often fraught with difficulties and can be painfully demanding. As a result, some individuals may choose to remain comfortably within the bounds of decency rather than striving for the higher, more restless ideals of virtue, ultimately reflecting on the human condition and our choices in moral living.

Themes

VirtueDecencyPainfulEndeavourHuman Condition

In practice

Example use cases

During a speech on ethical living, you might reference this quote to emphasize the struggles of maintaining high moral standards.

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Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.
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An honest man's the noblest work of God.
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One thought of thee puts all the pomp to flight;_x000D_ _x000D_ Priests, tapers, temples, swim before my sight.
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Who breaks a butterfly on a wheel?
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