People · 1712
Curse all his virtues! they 've undone his country.
— Joseph Addison • Cato
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
This line curses a set of virtues for the damage they caused. Rather than praising good qualities, the speaker blames them directly for ruining the country. The paradox lies in treating admirable traits as the actual source of catastrophe.
Context reviewed