There is a perennial and unobtrusive view that morality consists in such things as telling the truth, paying one's debts, respecting one's parents and doing no voluntary harm to anyone. Those are all things easy to say and hard to do; they do not attract much attention, and win little honor in the world.

Summary

This quote highlights the common belief that morality is often associated with simple acts like honesty, reliability, respect, and non-harmfulness. These actions may seem straightforward, but in reality, they can be challenging to consistently practice. It suggests that society tends to undervalue these moral virtues, as they often go unnoticed and receive little recognition or admiration. Despite this, the quote emphasizes the importance of these actions as key components of ethical behavior, even if they aren't always recognized by the world at large.

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