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Business Quote by Anthony Trollope

“Nevertheless a certain class of dishonesty, dishonesty magnificent in its proportions, and climbing into high places, has become at the same time so rampant and so splendid that there seems to be reason for fearing that men and women will be taught to feel that dishonesty, if it can become…” quote by Anthony Trollope
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““Nevertheless a certain class of dishonesty, dishonesty magnificent in its proportions, and climbing into high places, has become at the same time so rampant and so splendid that there seems to be reason for fearing that men and women will be taught to feel that dishonesty, if it can become splendid, will cease to be abominable. If dishonesty can live in a gorgeous palace with pictures on all its walls, and gems in all its cupboards, with marble and ivory in all its corners, and can give Apician dinners, and get into Parliament, and deal in millions, then dishonesty is not disgraceful, and the man dishonest after such a fashion is not a low scoundrel. Instigated, I say, by some such reflections as these, I sat down in my new house to write The Way We Live Now. And as I had ventured to take the whip of the satirist into my hand, I went beyond the iniquities of the great speculator who robs everybody, and made an onslaught also on other vices;--on the intrigues of girls who want to get married, on the luxury of young men who prefer to remain single, and on the puffing propensities of authors who desire to cheat the public into buying their volumes.””

Anthony Trollope

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Way We Live Now, 1875

The quote warns that when corruption is lavish and powerful, society may start to view it as acceptable rather than abhorrent.

In simple terms: Corruption can seem normal if it looks grand.

Key Takeaway

Question the allure of power and its moral cost.

Themes

corruption power morality society hypocrisy

Mood

critical reflective

Type

analytical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • political analysis
  • business ethics
  • media criticism
  • personal integrity
  • education programs

Key Concepts

social critique satire class wealth politics

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does wealth affect our perception of right and wrong?
  • Can we separate individual morality from systemic corruption?
A Different Perspective

The passage may overgeneralize and ignore honest individuals within those institutions.

2.9 out of 5 (10 ratings)

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