To permit this gross new revelation to fade, or be forgiven, would be to devalue our most essential standard of what constitutes the unpardonable. And for what? For the reputation of a man who turns out to be not even a Holocaust denier but a Holocaust affirmer. There has to be a moral limit, and either this has to be it or we must cease pretending to ourselves that we observe one.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the importance of upholding our fundamental principles and values. It argues against permitting the acceptance or forgiveness of a disturbing revelation that goes against these essential standards. The quote suggests that to devalue our unwavering principles for the sake of protecting the reputation of an individual who not only denies but also affirms the Holocaust, would be unacceptable. It raises the necessity of recognizing a moral limit and suggests that if we fail to acknowledge it, we should stop pretending that we still adhere to any moral standards.

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