John Ruskin’s quote about Degradation of Man

“The ultimate degradation of man begins when the instinct of honor and appreciation is lost from his character,”

—John Ruskin,

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Know Source and Context of this Quote :

“The ultimate degradation of man begins when the instinct of honor and appreciation is lost from his character,” asserts that humanity's moral decay starts with the loss of two fundamental virtues. The quote, reflecting Ruskin's deep-seated social critique of the Victorian era, suggests that honor and appreciation are not just social niceties but essential pillars of human character.

1] The decline of honor

In this context, Ruskin used the term ‘honor’ to mean more than just personal integrity. He saw it as a professional and social responsibility rooted in a commitment to others and the common good. He lamented the erosion of this sense of public duty, which he observed in the rise of industrial capitalism.

In his influential work, Unto This Last, Ruskin contrasted this decline of honor with what he called ‘the roots of honour’.

The true merchant: 

Ruskin argued that the role of a true merchant was to provide for the nation, a function as honorable as that of a soldier defending it. This role required a sense of duty beyond personal profit.

The false economist: 

In contrast, he criticized the modern political economist for promoting a theory that eliminated social affection from the equation, viewing human beings as ‘covetous machines’ driven solely by greed. This, for Ruskin, was a dishonorable worldview that led to the exploitation of workers.

The social contract: 

When a society elevates self-interest over a shared sense of duty, Ruskin believed it created a hostile relationship between people. He argued this antagonism was unnatural and that a leader who valued the well-being of his workers would, in fact, achieve a greater and more lasting result than one who sought only maximum personal gain.

2] The loss of appreciation

Ruskin believed that a society's decline was also marked by its inability to appreciate the deeper truths of life and art. Appreciation, for him, was a quality that connected an individual's feelings and intellect to the moral and spiritual truths of the world.

In his writings on art and aesthetics, Ruskin made this case repeatedly:

Truth to nature: 

In Modern Painters, Ruskin championed ‘truth to nature,’ arguing that great art expresses the artist's ‘delight in God's work’. An inability to appreciate the authentic beauty of the natural world was a sign of moral degradation, while focusing on a close observation of nature was a form of spiritual engagement.

Rejection of mass production: 

Ruskin famously disdained mass-produced, industrial goods, viewing them as devoid of the human feeling and creative joy found in craftsmanship. This loss of appreciation for sincere, human-made beauty contributed to a soulless society.

Shallow values: 

The Victorian culture’s focus on material wealth and mechanized industry was, to Ruskin, a superficiality that indicated a lost ability to appreciate the more profound, beautiful, and meaningful aspects of existence, whether in nature, art, or human relationships.

3] The consequences of lost virtues

For Ruskin, the loss of these instincts was a precursor to national destruction. A society that loses its appreciation for beauty and abandons the principle of honor in favor of ruthless self-interest is on a path to ultimate degradation, where citizens become miserable and workers are left brutalized. His observation serves as a powerful moral compass, urging individuals and societies to cultivate a character founded on honor and appreciation to avoid their own decay.