Wrongs are often forgiven, but contempt never is. Our pride remembers it forever. It implies a discovery of weakness, which we are more careful to conceal than a crime. Many a man will confess his crimes to a friend; but I never knew a man that would tell his silly weaknesses to his most intimate one.

Summary

This quote suggests that people are more likely to be forgiven for their wrongdoings than for displaying contempt towards others. While society may be forgiving of mistakes and errors, contempt reveals a deeper character flaw that is harder to forget. Our pride holds onto the memory of this contempt, as it signifies a discovery of weakness that we are more determined to hide compared to our crimes. The quote also implies that individuals are more likely to confess their crimes to a friend, but they rarely reveal their foolish weaknesses to even their closest and most trusted companions.

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