Innocence is indeed a glorious thing; only, on the other [405] hand, it is very sad that it cannot well maintain itself and is easily seduced. [Kant, Fundamental Principles of a Metaphysics of Morals, First Section, par. 20 (Abbott trans., pp. 404-5).]
But how can we admire innocence? The fact is we can’t. Or, turning the question around, can we love the serpent?