Quote by Thomas Carlyle
For the superior morality, of which we hear so much, we too would desire to be thankful: at the same time, it were but blindness to deny that this superior morality is properly rather an inferior criminality, produced not by greater love of Virtue, but by greater perfection of Police; and of that far subtler and stronger Police, called Public Opinion.
Summary
This quote suggests that the so-called superior morality that is often praised is actually a result of stricter control and surveillance rather than a genuine love for virtue. It implies that the increase in "superior morality" is a consequence not of individuals having a stronger desire to do good but of a more efficient enforcement of laws and regulations through surveillance and the influence of public opinion. In essence, the quote critiques the idea that society's heightened moral standards are solely a reflection of individuals' internal ethical compasses.
Topics
Morals
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