Every vice is only an exaggeration of a necessary and virtuous function

Every vice is only an exaggeration of a necessary and virtuous function

Ralph Waldo Emerson, a renowned American essayist, lecturer, and poet, was a firm believer in the idea that every vice is only an exaggeration of a necessary and virtuous function. This concept can be seen throughout his works, where he often explores the complexities of human nature and the dualities that exist within each individual.

Emerson believed that all human beings possess both virtuous qualities and vices, and that these vices are simply an exaggeration or distortion of necessary functions that are inherent in human nature. For example, he argued that greed, which is often seen as a vice, is simply an exaggeration of the natural human desire for self-preservation and security. Similarly, he believed that anger is an exaggeration of the necessary instinct for self-defense.