Virtue is not the absense of vices or the avoidance of moral dangers; virtue is a vivid and separate ting, like pain or a particular smell.

Summary

This quote suggests that virtue should not be seen as merely the absence of vices or the ability to avoid moral dangers. Instead, it implies that virtue is something tangible and distinct, like a strong sensation or a specific scent. It implies that virtue is a vivid quality that can be experienced and recognized, just as pain or a specific smell can be distinctly felt or perceived. The quote invites us to view and appreciate virtue as a concrete and discernible entity rather than a mere absence of wrongdoing.

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