Skip to content

Very often people who admit the facts, who are willing to…

“Very often people who admit the facts, who are willing to see that Mr. Rockefeller has employed force and fraud to secure his ends, justify him by declaring, 'It's business.' That is, 'it's business' has come to be a legitimate excuse for hard dealing, sly tricks, special privileges.” quote by Ida Tarbell
Download Open image
“Very often people who admit the facts, who are willing to see that Mr. Rockefeller has employed force and fraud to secure his ends, justify him by declaring, 'It's business.' That is, 'it's business' has come to be a legitimate excuse for hard dealing, sly tricks, special privileges.”

Ida Tarbell

About This Quote

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

Business is often used to excuse unethical tactics like force and fraud, masking exploitation.

In simple terms: ‘Business’ can hide wrongdoing.

Key Takeaway

Question business justifications for unethical acts.

Themes

ethics business corruption history

Mood

critical inquisitive

Type

investigative historical

When to use this quote

  • regulation
  • consumer awareness
  • journalism

Key Concepts

social justice economic power

Questions to Reflect On

  • When is ‘business’ a cover for harm?
  • How can transparency be enforced?
A Different Perspective

Legal frameworks may be insufficient to curb abuse.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Ida Tarbell

Explore all 41 Ida Tarbell quotes

More Business quotes

Browse all 39,016 Business quotes