For such art does not so much depend on the substitution of some new object, as in putting insult on the present one.

It does not make right and wrong change places; on the contrary it carefully keeps them where they are; but it insults the former by transferring its insignia to the latter.

It is not the ignoring of the right, but the denial of it.
Cynicism and profligacy are essentially the spirits that deny, but they must retain the existing affirmations for their denial to prey upon.
Their function is not to destroy the good, but to keep it in lingering torture.

It is a kind of spiritual bear-baiting.

They hate the good, and its existence piques them; but they must know that the good exists none the less.