--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is not possible to found a lasting…" description: "\"It is not possible to found a lasting power upon injustice, perjury, and treachery. These may, perhaps, succeed for once, and borrow for awhile, from h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e8/demosthenes-11463_action_it-is-not-possible-to-found-a-lasting-po_1260380.jpg" --- # It is not possible to found a lasting power upon… ![“It is not possible to found a lasting power upon injustice, perjury, and treachery. These may, perhaps, succeed for once, and borrow for awhile, from hope, a gay and flourishing appearance. But time betrays their weakness, and they fall into ruin of themselves. For, as in structures of every kind…” quote by Demosthenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e8/demosthenes-11463_action_it-is-not-possible-to-found-a-lasting-po_1260380.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e8/demosthenes-11463_action_it-is-not-possible-to-found-a-lasting-po_1260380.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e8/demosthenes-11463_action_it-is-not-possible-to-found-a-lasting-po_1260380.jpg) > “It is not possible to found a lasting power upon injustice, perjury, and treachery. These may, perhaps, succeed for once, and borrow for awhile, from hope, a gay and flourishing appearance. But time betrays their weakness, and they fall into ruin of themselves. For, as in structures of every kind, the lower parts should have the greatest firmness--so the grounds and principles of actions should be just and true.” [Demosthenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demosthenes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Unjust foundations crumble; lasting power requires moral integrity. **In simple terms:** Power built on injustice fails. Key Takeaway Prioritize justice and truth. Themes ethics politics justice power Mood serious thoughtful Type political ethical When to use this quote - government formation - legal reform - organizational leadership Key Concepts integrity principles social order Questions to Reflect On - What are the costs of insisting on absolute justice? - Can unjust systems ever be reformed? A Different Perspective Idealism may overlook pragmatic realities of power. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Appearance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appearance/) [Betray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/betray/) [Betrayal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/betrayal/) [Betrays Weakness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/betrays-weakness-4004952/) [Fall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fall/) [Firmness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firmness/) [Flourishing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flourishing/) [Found](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/found/) [Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay/) [Injustice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/injustice/) [Injustice Perjury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/injustice-perjury-1225632/) [Integrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Lasting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lasting/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Perjury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perjury/) [Perjury Treachery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perjury-treachery-1225634/) [Power Injustice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power-injustice-1225633/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Ruins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ruins/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Should have](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should-have/) [Structure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/structure/) [Succeed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/succeed/) [Treachery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/treachery/) [Weakness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weakness/) ## Related quotes > [It is not possible to found a lasting power upon injustice, perjury, and treachery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demosthenes/it-is-not-possible-to-found-a-lasting-power-upon-injustice-perjury-2/) [Demosthenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demosthenes/) > [No soul of high estate can take pleasure in slander. 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