I can act a lot of ways. Actors do it for a living, some can be or express any thought or action you can imagine.
But it's all imaginary, fake, unreal. You can just as well act some other way in the next instant -- as the quote says.
Of course, you have to define civilized before it makes any sense to discuss acting civilized or uncivilized, there are civilizations that are barbaric and those that are pacifist. Pirates have a civilization, and may have a code, and consider themselves civilized -- and who are we to argue, if there is no moral authority outside what we imagine, make up, and act out of our own initiative?
"You can just as well act some other way in the next instant -- as the quote says.
Of course, you have to define civilized before it makes any sense to discuss acting civilized or uncivilized, there are civilizations that are barbaric and those that are pacifist. Pirates have a civilization, and may have a code, and consider themselves civilized -- and who are we to argue, if there is no moral authority outside what we imagine, make up, and act out of our own initiative?"
Conjuring morality out of thin air is a good trick. Like any animal, when I itch, I scratch. When you itch, I may sympathize, or I may be amused at your discomfiture. That choice is mine.
Similarly, I can choose many paths as you have suggested. What motivates me to choose a "right" path?
It is my nature to go quietly about the world, making little noise in the forest. I wish to see before I am seen. This seems practical, in all walks of life.
If we meet, I will keep a watchful and wary eye on you. If you don't like that, hide, but hide well. I will be watching for that as well.
It is not my nature to seek confrontation, or advantage in it. I seek to earn my way, and have a proper title to things I earn or trade for. I am aware that others think otherly. Accordingly, I will also watch my possessions.
Thus, being Civilized, in my definition, means being able to reliably enter into contracts and fulfill them. That's about it. If you can't or won't keep your word, you aren't civilized.
A civilization or a society may be barbaric, but if they will give their word and keep it, then they are civilized enough for me.
In regard to "moral authority", that is a conceit of our age. I have no authority over your behavior any more than you have over mine. If you will not honor contracts and keep your word, we will not do business. We may have transactions, but they will not be ordinary business.