--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Do they merit vitriol, even a drop of it?…" description: "\"Do they merit vitriol, even a drop of it? Yes, because they corrupt the young, persuading them that the mature world, which produced Beethoven and Schw..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cd/anthony-burgess-1167_doe_do-they-merit-vitriol-even-a-drop-of-it_461169.jpg" --- # Do they merit vitriol, even a drop of it? Yes, because… ![“Do they merit vitriol, even a drop of it? Yes, because they corrupt the young, persuading them that the mature world, which produced Beethoven and Schweitzer, sets an even higher value on the transient anodynes of youth than does youth itself… They are the Hollow Men. They are electronic lice.” quote by Anthony Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cd/anthony-burgess-1167_doe_do-they-merit-vitriol-even-a-drop-of-it_461169.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cd/anthony-burgess-1167_doe_do-they-merit-vitriol-even-a-drop-of-it_461169.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cd/anthony-burgess-1167_doe_do-they-merit-vitriol-even-a-drop-of-it_461169.jpg) > “Do they merit vitriol, even a drop of it? Yes, because they corrupt the young, persuading them that the mature world, which produced Beethoven and Schweitzer, sets an even higher value on the transient anodynes of youth than does youth itself… They are the Hollow Men. They are electronic lice.” [Anthony Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-burgess/) ## 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 condemns those who corrupt youth, likening them to hollow, parasitic entities that value fleeting pleasures over genuine growth. **In simple terms:** Corruptors of youth are harmful and shallow. Key Takeaway Guard youth from harmful influences. Themes corruption youth morality culture Mood critical somber Type analytical warning When to use this quote - education - parenting - media consumption - policy making Key Concepts philosophy ethics social critique Questions to Reflect On - How do we balance protecting youth with allowing autonomy? - What defines “corrupt” influence? A Different Perspective The critique may overlook positive aspects of youthful experimentation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hollow man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hollow-man/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) [Vitriol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vitriol/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [Youth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/youth/) ## Related quotes > [“Our young people think about nothing more than love affairs and pleasure. 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