Ah! How neatly tied, in these people, is the umbilical cord of morality! Since they left their mothers they have never sinned, have they? They are apostles, they are the descendants of priests; one can only wonder from what source they draw their indignation, and above all how much they have pocketed to do this, and in any case what it has done for them.

Summary

This quote by French author and philosopher, Emil Cioran, reflects his skepticism towards individuals who claim to possess impeccable morality. Cioran highlights the irony of those who, having supposedly never sinned since parting from their mothers, display an unwarranted self-righteousness. He questions the legitimacy of their claims and wonders about their motivations, suggesting that their indignant behavior might be fueled by personal gain or vested interests rather than genuine moral conviction. By challenging the authenticity and underlying motivations of these individuals, Cioran prompts readers to question the true source of morality and the intentions behind virtuous acts.

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