There are few things more disturbing than to find, in somebody we detest, a moral quality which seems to us demonstrably superior to anything we ourselves possess. It augurs not merely an unfairness on the part of creation, but a lack of artistic judgment. Sainthood is acceptable only in saints.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the discomfort we feel when we recognize a moral virtue in someone we dislike, realizing that it surpasses our own characteristics. It suggests that this unsettling discovery reveals an inherent unfairness in the world and implies that the creator lacks proper discernment. The quote implies that saintliness should be reserved solely for those deserving of it, reinforcing the idea that it is unacceptable to witness moral superiority in individuals who do not meet our personal standards.

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