"Men are more moral than they think and far more immoral than they can imagine."

We all like to think of ourselves as good people, don’t we? But the truth is, we’ve got a lot more going on beneath the surface than we realize. The core idea here is pretty simple: we tend to see ourselves as more upright and ethical than we actually are. On the flip side, our capacity for wrongdoing is often way beyond what we can even fathom.

Let's go back a bit, to when this idea might’ve gained traction. It was a time when thinkers were diving deep into the human psyche, trying to figure out what makes us tick. Why do we do good things? Why do we mess up? These aren’t new questions—people have been pondering them for centuries, from ancient philosophers to modern-day psychologists. This idea likely came from an era where the complexities of human nature were under a microscope.

Now, picture this: a respected CEO of a huge company who’s always been known for his charity work and ethical business practices. Out of nowhere, it’s revealed he’s been involved in some shady dealings—think embezzlement, fraud, the works. Everyone’s shocked. How could someone so seemingly moral do such a thing? This isn’t just a hypothetical scenario. History is littered with such examples, from politicians to celebrities. It’s a reminder that even the best of us have our skeletons, sometimes hidden even from ourselves.

So, how do you apply this wisdom day to day? Start with self-awareness. Really take a look at your actions and motivations. Are you cutting corners at work? Maybe fibbing to friends? These little things add up. Hold yourself accountable and strive to understand why you make certain choices. Surround yourself with people who’ll call you out—nicely, of course. It’s not about being perfect but about being honest with yourself.

Imagine you’re at a coffee shop with a friend. You’re talking about your latest project at work. You’ve been struggling, and you let slip that you exaggerated some numbers to make things look better. Your friend looks at you and says, “Man, I get it. But is that really the right thing to do?” It’s a gut-check moment. You realize that in your quest to seem competent, you’ve crossed a line.

We all have moments like this. Maybe not as dramatic, but they’re there. It's about recognizing them and making better choices moving forward. Think of it as building muscle—your moral muscle. The more you work at it, the stronger it gets.

In the end, it’s about balance. Understanding that while we have the potential for great good, we also have a dark side. And that’s okay. It’s part of being human. What matters is striving to be better, being aware of our faults, and working to ensure our better nature wins out more often than not.

So, next time you’re faced with a moral dilemma, big or small, take a moment. Reflect. Are you being as moral as you think you are? Could there be blind spots you’re missing? It’s a journey, not a destination. But it’s one worth taking.