The quote emphasizes personal responsibility in matters of salvation and damnation, suggesting that individuals are accountable for their own moral standings. Each person's guilt leads to their downfall, while their virtues secure their redemption. This notion marks a significant shift in thinking, focusing on the individual's actions rather than external factors.

Barbara W. Tuchman uses this perspective to illustrate the onset of the modern world, where individual agency began to shape societal outcomes. It highlights a transformative period in history that laid the groundwork for contemporary views on morality, justice, and personal merit.