I would have phrased that differently: "lack of morals proposed as a point of vanity". Incidentally (and for example), the "preacher" quarreled with Niall Ferg

I would have phrased that differently: "lack of morals proposed as a point of vanity". Incidentally (and for example), the "preacher" quarreled with Niall Ferguson days ago: the latter noted different times, when former conservative administrations condemned invasions, and received a reply starting with «moralistic rubbish» (or very similar words).