Art Quote by Edward Gibbon
“Yet the arts of Severus cannot be justified by the most ample privileges of state reason. He promised only to betray; he flattered only to ruin; and however he might occasionally bind himself by oaths and treaties, his conscience, obsequious to his interest, always released him from the inconvenient obligation.”
About This Quote
Political power can be corrupted by self‑interest, leading to betrayal despite formal oaths.
In simple terms: Power corrupts and leads to betrayal.
Key Takeaway
Beware of self‑interest in politics.
Themes
politics
corruption
betrayal
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- government
- diplomacy
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
ethics
statecraft
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards can prevent betrayal?
- How does self‑interest manifest in modern politics?
A Different Perspective
Not all leaders are corrupt; context varies.
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