Conventionality is not morality

iDNES.cz devotes an article to "profound expressions in English" and a quote from Charlotte Brontë is selected:

Conventionality is not morality.
This expression was first said by English author Charlotte Bronte. What it means is that just because everyone is “doing it,” or might be doing it, or “it” might be “cool, hip, or popular,” -- NONE of this automatically means that “it” is right.
As with every decision or action, it must be taken or measured on its own validity, or lack of.

The whole quote is:

Conventionality is not morality. Self-righteousness is not religion. To attack the first is not to assail the last. To pluck the mask from the face of the Pharisee is not to lift an impious hand to the Crown of Thorns. (Preface to the second edition of Jane Eyre, December 21st, 1847)

ABC News publishes an excerpt from Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer that contains an unexpected reference to Wuthering Heights:

Charlie was still scanning the news, so I picked up my much-abused copy of Wuthering Heights from where I'd left it this morning at breakfast, and tried to lose myself in the turn-of-the-century England while I waited for him to start talking.
I was just to the part where Heathcliff returns when Charlie cleared his throat and threw the paper to the floor.

On the blogosphere: Them talks about Wuthering Heights

a rather dark novel, with very little happiness and mostly fears, hurt, bad influence, manipulation and control.

Categories: Charlotte Brontë, References, Wuthering Heights