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What is the meaning of the word gratuitoustreachery below? (And, if you have time, also the meaning of apassion of unrighteousness for its own sake)
‘What he really expected to find there was the atmosphere, the atmosphere of gratuitous treachery, which in his view nothing could excuse; for he thought that even a passion of unrighteousness for its own sake could not excuse that.
Does it mean treachery without any risk of being caught?
And what about the second phrase, a passion of unrighteousness for its own sake ... I haven't got a clue about this one - for its own sake - hmm.
What is the meaning of the word gratuitoustreachery below? (And, if you have time, also the meaning of apassion of unrighteousness for its own sake)
‘What he really expected to find there was the atmosphere, the atmosphere of gratuitous treachery, which in his view nothing could excuse; for he thought that even a passion of unrighteousness for its own sake could not excuse that.
Does it mean treachery without any risk of being caught? No - uncalled for treachery, treachery that was not expected
And what about the second phrase, a passion of unrighteousness for its own sake ... I haven't got a clue about this one - for its own sake - hmm. Oh, I do so love Conrad's phraseology! I think it means that the protagonists are criminal in their activities.
Well, Anglika. I did love his phraseology as well, i.e. until I started my translation. That which works so well in English, is not as straightforward when translated.
Uncalled for treachery fits the context very well. About the second one, I see your point, and agree. However, who has a passion of unrighteousness for its own sake, i.e. a passion for crime for its own sake? But then again, its being stated that not even something as base as that could excuse an uncalled for treachery, so ...
gratuitous treachery 
That which works so well in English, is not as straightforward when translated.
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