He knew what retributions your devils are liable to bring for the way you treat your wife and women or behave while your father is on his deathbed, what you ought to think of your pleasure, of acting like a cockroach; he had the intelligence for the comparison. He had the intelligence to be sublime. But sublimity can't exist only as a special gift of the few, due to an accident of origin, like being born an albino. If it were, what interest would we have in it?
This passage delves into the complex nature of human morality and the innate capacity for both darkness and greatness within individuals. The speaker reflects on the moral consequences that stem from our actions towards loved ones, highlighting how neglect or cruelty, especially in moments of vulnerability like death, reveals our true character. The comparison of reckless or contemptible behavior to that of a cockroach underscores a sense of degradation, yet the same individual possesses the ability for profound understanding or even sublimity. This duality emphasizes that greatness is not simply a matter of inherent talent or privilege—akin to being born an albino—but something that must be cultivated through awareness and moral effort. The question raised—that if sublimity were exclusive to a fortunate few due to accident of birth, it would diminish its value—is a profound commentary on the egalitarian nature of true greatness. It suggests that greatness, virtue, and moral worth are accessible to all; they are not inherently limited by heredity or circumstances but require conscious effort and moral choice. This perspective challenges us to reflect on our own actions, morality, and the potential for nobility within everyone, regardless of their starting point in life. It pushes the reader to consider how true sublimity involves a deliberate moral stance that transcends mere talent or privilege—embracing humility, acknowledgment of our faults, and the pursuit of higher virtues.