What I should like to find is a crime the effects of which…
“What I should like to find is a crime the effects of which would be perpetual, even when I myself do not act, so that there would not be a single moment of my life even when I were asleep, when I was not the cause of some chaos, a chaos of such proportions that it would provoke a general corruption or a distubance so formal that even after my death its effects would still be felt.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Desires a perpetual crime whose effects linger after death, causing widespread corruption.
In simple terms: Wants an eternal, corrupting crime.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the moral danger of seeking lasting harm.
Themes
morality
corruption
legacy
Mood
dark
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- political power
- social influence
- historical impact
Key Concepts
philosophy
ethics
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives the desire for lasting impact?
- How can societies prevent lasting harm?
A Different Perspective
Such a crime is ethically abhorrent.