Full Idea
Doing what is, say, dishonest solely in the context of a tragic dilemma does not entail being dishonest, possessing that vice.
Gist of Idea
You are not a dishonest person if a tragic dilemma forces you to do something dishonest
Source
Rosalind Hursthouse (On Virtue Ethics [1999], Ch.3 n8)
Book Reference
Hursthouse,Rosalind: 'On Virtue Ethics' [OUP 2001], p.73
A Reaction
This seems right, although it mustn't be thought that the dishonesty is thereby excused. Virtuous people find being dishonest very painful.