Our aim is not to do away with corporations; on the…
““Our aim is not to do away with corporations; on the contrary, these big aggregations are an inevitable development of modern industrialism, and the effort to destroy them would be futile unless accomplished in ways that would work the utmost mischief to the entire body politic. We can do nothing of good in the way of regulating and supervising these corporations until we fix clearly in our minds that we are not attacking the corporations, but endeavoring to do away with any evil in them. We are not hostile to them; we are merely determined that they shall be so handled as to subserve the public good. We draw the line against misconduct, not against wealth.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote argues that corporations are inevitable, but they must be regulated to eliminate internal evils, not to attack the institutions themselves.
In simple terms: Corporations are necessary; focus on fixing bad behavior inside them.
Key Takeaway
Regulate wrongdoing, not wealth.
Themes
regulation
public good
corporate responsibility
Mood
cautious
determined
Type
political
policy.
When to use this quote
- government oversight
- consumer protection
- anti‑trust enforcement
- corporate governance
Key Concepts
industrialism
public policy
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure reforms target misconduct, not just profit?
- What mechanisms keep corporations accountable over time?
A Different Perspective
Corporations may resist regulation, and reforms can be co‑opted by powerful interests.