Keep your hands clean and pure from the infamous vice of…
“Keep your hands clean and pure from the infamous vice of corruption, a vice so infamous that it degrades even the other vices thatmay accompany it. Accept no present whatever; let your character in that respect be transparent and without the least speck, for as avarice is the vilest and dirtiest vice in private, corruption is so in public life.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Corruption contaminates personal integrity and public trust, urging absolute honesty and avoidance of greed.
In simple terms: Corruption harms both private and public life; stay honest.
Key Takeaway
Reject all forms of corruption.
Themes
integrity
honesty
public trust
greed
morality
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- government service
- business leadership
- personal decision making
- community activism
Key Concepts
Ethics
virtue
political philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure transparency in daily choices?
- What systems can prevent hidden greed?
A Different Perspective
Even small compromises can lead to larger corruption.