This quote suggests that merely adhering to the law is a limited and insufficient definition of goodness. In other words, just because someone’s actions are legal does not necessarily mean they are morally right or good. The term “narrow innocence” implies a restricted, constrained form of virtue, one that is defined solely by external rules and regulations rather than internal morality.

The idea here is that true goodness or virtue comes from within, from a person’s own moral compass, not from external structures or societal norms. It’s about being good not because the law tells you to be, but because you choose to be, out of your own sense of right and wrong. It’s about having a personal ethical code that may even surpass the standards set by the law.

Applying this in today’s world, we often see people hiding behind the legality of their actions to justify their behavior, even when such behavior may be ethically or morally questionable. For instance, tax evasion is illegal, but aggressive tax avoidance, though legal, can be seen as morally dubious because it contributes to inequality.

In terms of personal development, this quote encourages us to cultivate our own sense of morality, to question societal norms and legal standards, and to strive for a higher ethical standard. It’s about developing an inner compass that guides our actions, not just adhering to external rules. It’s about being genuinely good, not just legally innocent. This could involve acts of kindness, empathy, understanding, and fairness that go beyond what is merely required by law. It’s about striving to be a good person in all aspects of life, not just in the eyes of the law.