Original artwork, not a still
Our virtues are most frequently but vices disguised.
Behind the line
What it means
Our 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
