We might make a public moan in the newspapers about the decay of conscience, but in private conversation, no matter what crimes a man may have committed or how cynically he may have debased his talent or his friends, variations on the answer Yes, but I did it for the money, satisfy all but the most tiresome objections.

Summary

This quote by Truman Capote highlights the hypocritical nature of society when it comes to ethical considerations. It suggests that while individuals may publicly express concern about the decline of morals and conscience, in private conversations they tend to justify unethical actions if monetary gain is involved. Capote implies that people often use money as an excuse for their immoral behavior, finding solace in the fact that their motives were financial. This quote underscores the prevalent compromise of integrity for material wealth and the relative ease with which society accepts such justifications.

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