The nation’s morals are like its teeth: the more decayed they are the more it hurts to touch them.

This quote is a metaphor comparing the moral standards of a society to the health of teeth. Just as decayed teeth are sensitive and painful to touch, so too are the ethical issues within a nation when its morals have been degraded or compromised. The pain experienced in touching decayed teeth represents the discomfort, conflict, and social unrest that can arise when society’s moral fabric is eroded.

In essence, it implies that ignoring or neglecting societal values and ethics leads not only to deterioration but also causes pain when confronted or challenged. It emphasizes how important it is for a society to maintain its morals just as an individual should care for their dental hygiene.

Applying this concept in today’s world, we can see numerous examples where societal morals seem to be decaying – corruption, inequality, discrimination etc., causing discomfort and conflict within societies. This could be seen in various forms such as protests against racial injustice or outcry against political corruption.

On an individual level with regard to personal development, this quote could imply that if one allows their personal values or ethics (their ‘moral teeth’) to decay – through dishonesty, lack of integrity or unethical behavior – they will inevitably face discomfort when these issues are brought into focus. For instance, someone who cheats on exams might face severe anxiety every time they need their academic records evaluated.

Hence maintaining strong moral health – both at societal level and individual level – is crucial for overall wellbeing just like maintaining good dental hygiene is vital for oral health.