In this quote from "All My Puny Sorrows" by Miriam Toews, the speaker reflects on the common criticism of one's behavior as "unprofessional." They suggest that labeling actions as unprofessional often assumes a strict standard without considering the moral or personal context behind those actions.
The quote questions the idea that professionalism can be rigidly defined and viewed as an ethical guideline, implying that people's behavior is sometimes misunderstood or unfairly judged based on societal expectations rather than true moral or human considerations.