Literary notes about Debase (AI summary)
Writers use "debase" to convey the lowering of worth, dignity, or moral quality in various contexts. It appears as a warning against self-degradation, where characters are cautioned not to lower their own standards or succumb to base influences ([1], [2], [3]), as well as an observation on how external forces—ranging from societal decay to corrupt influences—can diminish the intrinsic value of morals, art, or even currency ([4], [5], [6]). In this way, "debase" becomes a powerful metaphor for the decline from a state of elevated character or purity to one of corruption and mediocrity, highlighting both personal and institutional transformations that degrade what is held in high regard ([7], [8]).
- "Quite right—quite right," said Mr. Thompson, with a smile: for why this disdain?— he had not counselled the young man to debase himself so.
— from Stand Fast, Craig-Royston! (Volume III) by William Black - We do debase ourselves, cousin, do we not, To look so poorly and to speak so fair?
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare - I never would debase myself by marrying into such a family.”
— from The Fatal Boots by William Makepeace Thackeray - She was protected by a religion that did not debase her but which called for a pure home and a happy family.
— from The Historical ChildPaidology; The Science of the Child by Oscar Chrisman - Innumerable causes are now at work to debase the morals of our own countrymen.
— from Impressions of England; or, Sketches of English Scenery and Society by A. Cleveland (Arthur Cleveland) Coxe - But the imitations will soon debase it into such bad coin that it will fail to pass current.
— from My Discovery of England by Stephen Leacock - Situations and circumstances ennoble the mind, or debase it.
— from A Journal of a Young Man of Massachusetts, 2nd ed.Late A Surgeon On Board An American Privateer, Who WasCaptured At Sea By The British, In May, Eighteen HundredAnd Thirteen, And Was Confined First, At Melville Island,Halifax, Then At Chatham, In England ... And Last, AtDartmoor Prison. Interspersed With Observations, AnecdotesAnd Remarks, Tending To Illustrate The Moral And PoliticalCharacters Of Three Nations. To Which Is Added, A CorrectEngraving Of Dartmoor Prison, Representing The MassacreOf American Prisoners, Written By Himself. by Benjamin Waterhouse - The world will send into her heart its putrid streams of influence to corrupt and debase it.
— from Aims and Aids for Girls and Young WomenOn the Various Duties of Life, Physical, Intellectual, AndMoral Development; Self-Culture, Improvement, Dress, Beauty,Fashion, Employment, Education, The Home Relations, TheirDuties To Young Men, Marriage, Womanhood And Happiness. by G. S. (George Sumner) Weaver
