A person whose goodness consists rather in his guiltlessness of vice, than in his prowess in virtue.
 Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre (16 October 1847). copy citation

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Author Charlotte Brontë
Source Jane Eyre
Topic goodness vice
Date 16 October 1847
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1260/1260-h/1260-h.htm

Context

“Does that mean a respectable well-conducted man of fifty? Or what does it mean?” “St John was only twenty-nine, sir.” “‘Jeune encore,’ as the French say. Is he a person of low stature, phlegmatic, and plain. A person whose goodness consists rather in his guiltlessness of vice, than in his prowess in virtue.” “He is untiringly active. Great and exalted deeds are what he lives to perform.” “But his brain? That is probably rather soft? He means well: but you shrug your shoulders to hear him talk?” “He talks little, sir:” source