Quote by H. L. Mencken
Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority. The more uncivilized the man, the surer he is that he knows precisely what is right and what is wrong. All human progress, even in morals, has been the work of men who have doubted the current moral values, not of men who have whooped them up and tried to enforce them. The truly civilized man is always skeptical and tolerant, in this field as in all others. His culture is based on I am not too sure.
Summary
This quote suggests that being morally certain indicates a lack of cultural sophistication. The less civilized a person is, the more convinced they are of their knowledge of right and wrong. True progress in morality comes from those who question prevailing moral values, rather than from those who passionately defend and impose them. The quote argues that a truly civilized individual is skeptical and accepting, and their culture is built upon uncertainty and open-mindedness. The emphasis is placed on the importance of doubt and tolerance in all aspects of life, including one's moral framework.
Topics
Morals
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