--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Corporation: An ingenious device for…" description: "\"Corporation: An ingenious device for obtaining profit without individual responsibility.\" — Ambrose Bierce" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb3/ambrose-bierce-140_business_corporation-an-ingenious-device-for-obta_1889986.jpg" --- # Corporation: An ingenious device for obtaining profit… ![“Corporation: An ingenious device for obtaining profit without individual responsibility.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb3/ambrose-bierce-140_business_corporation-an-ingenious-device-for-obta_1889986.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb3/ambrose-bierce-140_business_corporation-an-ingenious-device-for-obta_1889986.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb3/ambrose-bierce-140_business_corporation-an-ingenious-device-for-obta_1889986.jpg) > “Corporation: An ingenious device for obtaining profit without individual responsibility.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It cynically describes a corporation as a tool that generates profit while avoiding personal accountability. **In simple terms:** Corporations profit without personal responsibility. Key Takeaway Demand personal accountability in business. Themes corporate ethics profit responsibility Mood critical skeptical Type satire commentary When to use this quote - shareholder meetings - consumer activism - regulatory policy - tax avoidance - environmental impact Key Concepts capitalism critique legal liability business models Questions to Reflect On - Who should be held accountable for corporate actions? - How can individuals influence corporate responsibility? A Different Perspective Profit motives may override ethical concerns. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Corporation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corporation/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Individual responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual-responsibility/) [Ingenious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ingenious/) [Profit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profit/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) ## Related quotes > [Corporation, n. An ingenious device for obtaining individual profit without individual responsibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/corporation-n-an-ingenious-device-for-obtaining-individual-profit/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [ PALMISTRY, n. The 947th method . . . of obtaining money by false pretences \[by\] "reading character" in the wrinkles \[of\] the hand. The… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/palmistry-n-the-947th-method-of-obtaining-money-by-false-pretences-by/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Inventor: A person who makes an ingenious arrangement of wheels, levers and springs, and believes it civilization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/inventor-a-person-who-makes-an-ingenious-arrangement-of-wheels-levers/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Barometer, n.: An ingenious instrument which indicates what kind of weather we are having.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/barometer-n-an-ingenious-instrument-which-indicates-what-kind-of/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [“Debt is an ingenious substitute for the chain and whip of the slavedriver. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/debt-is-an-ingenious-substitute-for-the-chain-and-whip-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Insurance - an ingenious modern game of chance in which the player is permitted to enjoy the comfortable conviction that he is beating the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/insurance-an-ingenious-modern-game-of-chance-in-which-the-player-is/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Debt, n. An ingenious substitute for the chain and whip of the slavedriver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/debt-n-an-ingenious-substitute-for-the-chain-and-whip-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DEBT, n. An ingenious substitute for the chain and whip of the slave-driver. As, pent in an aquarium, the troutlet Swims round and round…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/debt-n-an-ingenious-substitute-for-the-chain-and-whip-of-the-slave/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [ART, n. This word has no definition. Its origin is related by the ingenious Father Gassalasca Jape as "One day a wag - what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/art-n-this-word-has-no-definition-its-origin-is-related-by-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [GOOSE, n. A bird that supplies quills for writing. 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Hayek > [The Bible is a book of faith, and a book of doctrine, and a book of religion, of special revelation from God; but it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-webster/the-bible-is-a-book-of-faith-and-a-book-of-doctrine-and-a-book-of/) [Daniel Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-webster/) > [“Each and every member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bears a personal responsibility to learn and live the truths of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-a-bednar/each-and-every-member-of-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day/) [David A. Bednar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-a-bednar/) > [Nothing strengthens the judgment and quickens the conscience like individual responsibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cady-stanton/nothing-strengthens-the-judgment-and-quickens-the-conscience-like/) [Elizabeth Cady Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-cady-stanton/) > [Nations are beginning to look to some vague organization, some nebulous course of humanity, to pay their bills and tell them what to do.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/nations-are-beginning-to-look-to-some-vague-organization-some/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) ## More by Ambrose Bierce > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More Business quotes > [Companies with cultures that celebrate diverse opinions and encourage the exchange of ideas have an advantage when solving difficult problems. 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And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [ “\[S\]ometimes, when you are a food person, the possible irrelevance of what you are doing doesn’t cross your mind until it’s too late. 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