Accepted Quote by Charles Peguy
“We said that a single injustice, a single crime, a single illegality, particularly if it is officially recorded, confirmed, a single wrong to humanity, a single wrong to justice and to right, particularly if it is universally, legally, nationally, commodiously accepted, that a single crime shatters and is sufficient to shatter the whole social pact, the whole social contract, that a single legal crime, a single dishonorable act will bring about the loss of ones honor, the dishonor of a whole people. It is a touch of gangrene that corrupts the entire body.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Crime of the Century, Charles Peguy, 1910
A single grave injustice can erode the entire moral fabric of society, like gangrene spreading.
In simple terms: One injustice harms all.
Key Takeaway
Guard against even small wrongs.
Themes
justice
morality
social contract
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- legal system
- government policy
- corporate misconduct
- community standards
Key Concepts
ethics
systemic decay
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies detect early signs of moral decay?
- What mechanisms prevent a single crime from destabilizing trust?
A Different Perspective
Not every minor offense leads to total collapse; context matters.
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