Expenses Quote by Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon
“If we did not take great pains, and were not at great expense to corrupt our nature, our nature would never corrupt us.”
About This Quote
Claims that if humanity does not deliberately corrupt nature, nature itself would not become a source of corruption, implying a reciprocal relationship between human actions and natural consequences.
In simple terms: Human corruption leads to nature's corruption.
Key Takeaway
Our actions dictate nature's impact on us.
Themes
environment
ethics
cause and effect
human nature
Mood
cautionary
reflective
Type
philosophical
environmental
When to use this quote
- environmental policy
- sustainable design
Key Concepts
anthropocentrism
moral responsibility
Practical Applications
- Adopt eco‑friendly practices
- Limit harmful interventions
Questions to Reflect On
- How much responsibility do we bear for ecological damage?
- Can nature be 'corrupt' without human influence?
A Different Perspective
Overly deterministic; nature can be harmful independent of human intent.
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