Quote by Joseph De Maistre
I don't know what a scoundrel is like, but I know what a respectable man is like, and it's enough to make one's flesh creep.
Summary
This quote, often attributed to German writer and statesman Friedrich von Schiller, reflects the idea that the behavior of a respectable man might be unsettling or alarming. It contrasts the unknown qualities of a scoundrel with the disconcerting actions committed by someone considered honorable or respectable. The quote suggests that the actions and character traits of ostensibly respectable individuals can be questionable or even horrifying, challenging our conventional notions of morality and prompting us to question the true nature of decency.