Vice, in its true light, is so deformed, that it shocks us at first sight; and would hardly ever seduce us, if it did not at first wear the mask of some virtue.

Summary

This quote implies that vices, or immoral actions, are inherently unappealing and repulsive. It suggests that people are less likely to engage in vice if it were not disguised as something seemingly virtuous. It implies that vices often deceive us by presenting themselves in a way that appeals to our sense of goodness or righteousness, misleading us into adopting them. Essentially, the quote argues that if vice were to reveal its true nature from the beginning, it would be far less tempting and easily rejected.

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