Books
Our virtues are most frequently but vices disguised.
— François de la Rochefoucauld ‧ Maxim 19
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
Our virtues are often vices in costume. The maxim suggests that what looks like kindness, courage or generosity is frequently self-interest or vanity dressed up more respectably. It's a cynical, sharp claim about motives, asking us to doubt how noble our good qualities really are.
Context reviewed