Natural depravity

Posted by Bob on June 28, 2004

In Reply to: Natural depravity posted by Natty on June 28, 2004

: What is the meaning of "natural depravity" in the following excerpt (the book itself was written a hundred years ago):

: A man's not having sense enough to want to marry, or, having that, not having wit enough to do it, argues to her thinking either weakness of intellect or natural depravity, the former rendering its victim unable, and the latter unfit, ever to become a really useful novelist.

: As I understand, it can't be associated with homosexuality since the interesting part of the sentence is saying:

: A man's having sense enough to want to marry, but not having wit enough to do it argues to her thinking natural depravity.

: Homosexuals to my best knowledge didn't want to marry then, at least in the acceptable manner. Does the Author mean here some kind of born flaw? What do you think?

: "natural depravity"=?

: Thank You!

Some of the gloomier sects of fundamentalist Christians believe people are born with sins, moral flaws, and a few nasty inclinations. Naturally depraved.

• Thank you very much Dhm, R. Berg and Bob! Natty 29/June/04
  • Consider a longer excerpt Anders 29/June/04
    • Correction! Anders 29/June/04