Although I never publicly defended promiscuity, I never publicly attacked it. I attempted to avoid the subject, in part because I felt, and often still feel, unable to live up to the ideals I really hold.

Meaning of the quote

The quote suggests that the author, Andrew Sullivan, did not openly support or criticize promiscuity (having many sexual partners). Instead, he tried to avoid discussing the topic because he felt he could not live up to the standards or beliefs he truly held. In other words, the author was not willing to publicly express his views on a sensitive subject, as he felt he could not live up to his own ideals.

About Andrew Sullivan

Andrew Sullivan is a British-American author, editor, and blogger who started a popular political blog called The Daily Dish. He’s known for his conservative views, which are influenced by his Catholic background and the ideas of philosopher Michael Oakeshott. Sullivan has been a writer-at-large for New York magazine and recently launched his own newsletter, The Weekly Dish.

More about the author

More quotes from Andrew Sullivan

Homosexuality is like the weather. It just is.

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How can you tell when a political ideology has become the equivalent of a religion?

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Although I never publicly defended promiscuity, I never publicly attacked it. I attempted to avoid the subject, in part because I felt, and often still feel, unable to live up to the ideals I really hold.

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The dirty little secret of journalism is that it really isn’t a profession, it’s a craft. All you need is a telephone and a conscience and you’re all set.

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My own early crusade for same-sex marriage, for example, is now mainstream gay politics. It wasn’t when I started.

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We’ve got fuel prices coming down and good travel numbers coming out, so it’s not surprising airline stocks are going up.

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I enjoy being around people who disagree with me; and I enjoy being in non-political contexts and activities.

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When you put a tiny and despised minority up for a popular vote, the minority usually loses.

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If you are a gay couple living in Alabama, you know one thing: your family has no standing under the law; and it can and will be violated by strangers.

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The most successful marriages, gay or straight, even if they begin in romantic love, often become friendships. It’s the ones that become the friendships that last.

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In many ways, my attachment to human freedom was completely compatible with my right to live freely as a homosexual.

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The Dixiecrats meet again in New York. Now they’re called Republicans.

Andrew Sullivan

English-American journalist, writer, blogger