We have found that morals are not, like bacon, to be cured by hanging; nor, like wine, to be improved by sea voyages; nor, like honey, to be preserved in cells.

Summary

This quote suggests that moral values and virtues cannot be developed or preserved through external means or activities. It emphasizes that morals cannot be enforced or improved by punishment ("hanging"), exposure to different experiences ("sea voyages"), or isolation ("preserved in cells"). Instead, moral character requires internal cultivation, personal introspection, and the conscious effort to practice and uphold virtue. The quote carries the message that fundamental moral principles are inherent to individuals and cannot be attained solely through external influences.

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