Most of our censure of others is only oblique praise of self, uttered to show the wisdom and superiority of the speaker. It has all the invidiousness of self-praise, and all the ill-desert of falsehood.

Summary

This quote suggests that when we criticize or speak negatively about others, it is often a way for us to indirectly praise ourselves and assert our superiority. Such criticism carries the same negative implications as self-praise and is undeserving because it often lacks truthfulness. In criticizing others, we highlight our own supposed wisdom while disregarding the harm caused by falsehoods.

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