A company is a moral imbecile. It has no sense of right or…
““A company is a moral imbecile. It has no sense of right or wrong. Any restraints have to come from the outside, from laws and customs which forbid it from doing certain things of which we disapprove. But it is a restraint that reduces profits. Which is why all companies will strain forever to break the bounds of the law, to act unfettered in their pursuit of advantage. That is the only way they can survive because the more powerful will devour the weak. And because it is the nature of capital, which is wild, longs to be free and chafes at each and every restriction imposed upon it.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Companies lack innate morality and rely on external rules, which they view as profit‑reducing constraints, prompting them to push legal limits for survival.
In simple terms: Businesses have no built‑in sense of right, so they try to avoid rules that cut profits.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and enforce ethical standards beyond profit motives.
Themes
ethics
capitalism
power
law
survival
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
cautionary
analytical
When to use this quote
- Corporate governance
- policy making
- consumer activism
- investment decisions
Key Concepts
Moral philosophy
economic incentives
regulatory capture
Questions to Reflect On
- How should society balance profit motives with ethical behavior?
- What mechanisms can effectively limit corporate overreach?
A Different Perspective
Profit focus can conflict with social responsibility, leading to exploitation.