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Society is immoral and immortal; it can afford to commit…

“Society is immoral and immortal; it can afford to commit any kind of folly, and indulge in any sort of vice; it cannot be killed, and the fragments that survive can always laugh at the dead.” quote by Henry Adams
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“Society is immoral and immortal; it can afford to commit any kind of folly, and indulge in any sort of vice; it cannot be killed, and the fragments that survive can always laugh at the dead.”

Henry Adams

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Society’s endless nature lets it persist despite moral failings, allowing it to commit folly and mock past victims.

In simple terms: Society can keep doing bad things because it never dies.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and challenge systemic immorality.

Themes

society immorality legacy power history

Mood

cynical reflective

Type

critical analytical

When to use this quote

  • political movements
  • corporate culture
  • legal reforms
  • public discourse

Key Concepts

philosophy social critique mortality

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does societal immortality affect accountability?
  • What can individuals do to expose systemic vice?
A Different Perspective

Society’s resilience can also protect harmful traditions.

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