Gentleness and cheerfulness, these come before all morality; they are the perfect duties.

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) Scottish essayist, novelist, poet
Essay (1888-12), “A Christmas Sermon,” sec. 2, Scribner’s Magazine, Vol. 4
    (Source)

In context, Stevenson is using "morality" in terms of legalistic religion.

Originally written in the winter of 1887-88. Collected in Across the Plains, ch. 12 (1892).

 
Added on 4-Dec-08 | Last updated 24-Jan-25
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