“Virtue is more to be feared than vice, because its excesses are not subject to the regulation of conscience”
— Adam Smith
Simplified Meaning:
Good actions and qualities can sometimes be more dangerous than bad ones because when we overdo good things, we often don't realize we're doing something wrong. For example, someone might be extremely generous to the point where they give away all their money and can no longer take care of themselves or their family. This kind of excessive generosity can cause problems, but because it comes from a good place, the person might not see the harm they're doing. Unlike bad actions, which we usually know are harmful and try to avoid, we don't have that same inner warning system for too much virtue. Therefore, it's important to find a balance in our good qualities and not let them get out of control. This way, we can make sure that our good intentions don't lead to unforeseen problems.