Quote by Victor Hugo

Every good quality runs into a defect; economy borders on avarice, the generous are not far from the prodigal, the brave man is close to the bully; he who is very pious is slightly sanctimonious; there are just as many vices to virtue as there are holes in the mantle of Diogenes.

Every good quality runs into a defect; economy borders on av

Summary

This quote highlights the idea that every positive quality has its downside or negative counterpart. It suggests that certain virtues or characteristics can easily tilt towards their negative extremes or exhibit flaws. For example, being thrifty can easily transform into greed, while over-generosity can become wastefulness. Similarly, bravery can verge on aggression, and excessive piety can be perceived as hypocrisy. The quote also suggests that there is no absolute perfection, as there will always be imperfections or vices associated with even the most virtuous qualities, analogous to the numerous holes in the legendary cloak of Diogenes.

Topics

Virtue

By Victor Hugo

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