Debased men, but they all had something in common: They showed a keen regard for virtue, and tried to dress themselves in that costume. Hypocrisy, for all its bad reputation, at least showed a decent respect for goodness.

Summary

This quote suggests that even though the individuals being referred to may have been morally corrupted, they shared a common desire to present themselves as virtuous. It implies that even though they may have been hypocritical in their actions, this hypocrisy at least indicated a semblance of recognizing and valuing goodness. In other words, despite their flaws, they showed a degree of respect for moral values, albeit insincerely.

Topics