The attempt to always be good doesn’t add dignity to a person but instead turns them into a self-satisfied pedant.
The attempt to always be good doesn’t add dignity to a person but instead turns them into a self-satisfied pedant.
This quote suggests that the relentless pursuit of being "good" can lead individuals to become self-righteous and overly concerned with appearances. Instead of genuinely embodying moral virtues, such individuals may adopt a superficial approach, prioritizing the perception of goodness over authentic character. As a result, they can come across as pompous or condescending—more focused on demonstrating their own virtue than on understanding or supporting others. True dignity, it implies, comes from genuine integrity and humility rather than from a constant need for validation through moral posturing.