---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Corporations have nothing to do with…"
description: "\"Corporations have nothing to do with values, and they know it, and sometimes say it.\" — Eric Kierans"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fb/eric-kierans-47735_capitalism_corporations-have-nothing-to-do-with-val_3481.png"
---

#  Corporations have nothing to do with values, and they know…

![“Corporations have nothing to do with values, and they know it, and sometimes say it.” quote by Eric Kierans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fb/eric-kierans-47735_capitalism_corporations-have-nothing-to-do-with-val_3481.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fb/eric-kierans-47735_capitalism_corporations-have-nothing-to-do-with-val_3481.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fb/eric-kierans-47735_capitalism_corporations-have-nothing-to-do-with-val_3481.png)

> “Corporations have nothing to do with values, and they know it, and sometimes say it.”

[Eric Kierans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kierans/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

It asserts that corporations are fundamentally profit-driven, lacking genuine moral commitment, and sometimes acknowledge this disconnect.

**In simple terms:** Corporations prioritize profit over values.

Key Takeaway

Corporate ethics are often superficial.

Themes

Power dynamics Ethics Capitalism Corporate culture Social responsibility

Mood

Skeptical Cynical Reflective

Type

Observation Critique

When to use this quote

- Business strategy meetings
- Public relations statements
- Investor briefings
- Employee training sessions

Key Concepts

Profit motive Moral hypocrisy Stakeholder theory

Practical Applications

- Critical analysis of corporate social responsibility
- Designing authentic value-driven branding

Questions to Reflect On

- How can a company demonstrate authentic values?
- What mechanisms align profit with ethical conduct?

A Different Perspective

Some argue that corporations can embed values through mission statements and stakeholder engagement, influencing behavior beyond profit.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Capitalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalism/) [Corporations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corporations/) [Corporations Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corporations-values-277132/) [Know Say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-say/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) [Values Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values-know-277133/)

## Related quotes

> [Currency speculation-over a trillion dollars a day-is a tax-free activity. The notion of a tax on "day trades" or other speculative swaps was revived…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kierans/currency-speculation-over-a-trillion-dollars-a-day-is-a-tax-free/)

[Eric Kierans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kierans/)

> [This is the standard procedure for corporate growth these days; one company buys up another on loans that are floated on the basis of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kierans/this-is-the-standard-procedure-for-corporate-growth-these-days-one/)

[Eric Kierans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kierans/)

> [The corporation is the dominant and dominating institution of our time. Governments identify growth and development with commercial corporations and shower them with subsidies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kierans/the-corporation-is-the-dominant-and-dominating-institution-of-our/)

[Eric Kierans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kierans/)

> [I have certain values. I know where I come from. I am a hard worker. I'm conscious of my luck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-giroud/i-have-certain-values-i-know-where-i-come-from-i-am-a-hard-worker-i-m/)

[Olivier Giroud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-giroud/)

> [The American people know Joe Biden. They know his values. They know what he stands for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-biden/the-american-people-know-joe-biden-they-know-his-values-they-know/)

[Jill Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-biden/)

> [To know values is to know the meaning of the market](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dow/to-know-values-is-to-know-the-meaning-of-the-market/)

[Charles Dow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dow/)

> [We are the canaries in the mine. If we go, the last ecosystems go. So does the wisdom of how to sustain resources, live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-adamson/we-are-the-canaries-in-the-mine-if-we-go-the-last-ecosystems-go-so/)

[Rebecca Adamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-adamson/)

> [I'm definitely working class, and I still believe in those values. I know that losing everything would not be an unfamiliar feeling. Meaning, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-travolta/i-m-definitely-working-class-and-i-still-believe-in-those-values-i/)

[John Travolta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-travolta/)

> [We need men and women with Christian values who know in their souls that America was providentially created and that for the last 200-plus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/we-need-men-and-women-with-christian-values-who-know-in-their-souls/)

[Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/)

> [“Before you can be a leader of others, you need to know clearly who you are and what your core values are. Once you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-m-kouzes/before-you-can-be-a-leader-of-others-you-need-to-know-clearly-who-you/)

[James M. Kouzes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-m-kouzes/)

> [I am an American, steeped in American values. But I know on an emotional level what it means to be of the Chinese culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/i-am-an-american-steeped-in-american-values-but-i-know-on-an/)

[Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/)

> [Everybody has values. Now, you know it may be formed in a secular setting, it may be formed in an intellectual setting, but everybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-brownback/everybody-has-values-now-you-know-it-may-be-formed-in-a-secular/)

[Sam Brownback](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-brownback/)

> [The capitalist system of coordination by trade seems to be largely populated by indigestible lumps of socialism called corporations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-carson/the-capitalist-system-of-coordination-by-trade-seems-to-be-largely/)

[Kevin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-carson/)

> [Corporations, consumers, and citizens must begin acting in concert to create a powerful third pillar of social transformation if we hope to meet the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mainwaring/corporations-consumers-and-citizens-must-begin-acting-in-concert-to/)

[Simon Mainwaring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mainwaring/)

> [Democratic socialism means, that in a democratic, civilized society, the wealthiest people and the largest corporations must pay their fair share of taxes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/democratic-socialism-means-that-in-a-democratic-civilized-society-the/)

[Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/)

## More by Eric Kierans

> [Currency speculation-over a trillion dollars a day-is a tax-free activity. The notion of a tax on "day trades" or other speculative swaps was revived…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kierans/currency-speculation-over-a-trillion-dollars-a-day-is-a-tax-free/)

[Eric Kierans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kierans/)

> [This is the standard procedure for corporate growth these days; one company buys up another on loans that are floated on the basis of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kierans/this-is-the-standard-procedure-for-corporate-growth-these-days-one/)

[Eric Kierans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kierans/)

> [The corporation is the dominant and dominating institution of our time. Governments identify growth and development with commercial corporations and shower them with subsidies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kierans/the-corporation-is-the-dominant-and-dominating-institution-of-our/)

[Eric Kierans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kierans/)

> [Capital, never concerned with distribution, is now less and less concerned with production. Capital is driving for power, for the control over markets, lands,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kierans/capital-never-concerned-with-distribution-is-now-less-and-less/)

[Eric Kierans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kierans/)

> [Capital in money form has no citizenship. It is fungible, an asset capable of moving from place to place in a nanosecond.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kierans/capital-in-money-form-has-no-citizenship-it-is-fungible-an-asset/)

[Eric Kierans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kierans/)

> [Capital movements are no longer necessarily related to the production of goods and services. Through the financial markets of the world, capital movements today…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kierans/capital-movements-are-no-longer-necessarily-related-to-the-production/)

[Eric Kierans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kierans/)

> [The Liberal Party abandoned the principles of reform and social liberalism and has become, instead, just another piece of political machinery in the service…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kierans/the-liberal-party-abandoned-the-principles-of-reform-and-social/)

[Eric Kierans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kierans/)

[Explore all 8 Eric Kierans quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kierans/)

## More Capitalism quotes

> [Don't let's lose sight of what creates wealth. It is open markets, it is capitalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-murdoch/don-t-let-s-lose-sight-of-what-creates-wealth-it-is-open-markets-it/)

[Rupert Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-murdoch/)

> [Crony capitalism is essentially a condition in which... public officials are giving favours to people in the private sector in payment of political favours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/crony-capitalism-is-essentially-a-condition-in-which-public-officials/)

[Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/)

> [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/)

[Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/)

> [There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party...and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat. Republicans are a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/there-is-only-one-party-in-the-united-states-the-property-party-and/)

[Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/)

> [ Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a \[Soviet socialistic\] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stalin/neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-national-socialism-have-anything/)

[Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stalin/)

> [Both fact and logic seem to me to support the view that savings invested in privately owned economic tools of production amount to an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-a-harper/both-fact-and-logic-seem-to-me-to-support-the-view-that-savings/)

[F. A. Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-a-harper/)

> [The free market is ugly and stupid, like going to the mall; the unfree market is just as ugly and just as stupid, except…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-free-market-is-ugly-and-stupid-like-going-to-the-mall-the-unfree/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Capitalism, communism ... it's all garbage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mstislav-rostropovich/capitalism-communism-it-s-all-garbage/)

[Mstislav Rostropovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mstislav-rostropovich/)

> [There are no two countries with the same style of economic mechanism, with the same capitalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatoly-chubais/there-are-no-two-countries-with-the-same-style-of-economic-mechanism/)

[Anatoly Chubais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatoly-chubais/)

> [It is more than a little ironic that "capital accumulation" once a rather tendentious Marxian view of a supposed capitalist obsession, should have become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kuttner/it-is-more-than-a-little-ironic-that-capital-accumulation-once-a/)

[Robert Kuttner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kuttner/)

> [Historically, usury was defined as any interest whatever on an unproductive loan.Our whole banking system I have ever abhorred, I continue to abhor, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/historically-usury-was-defined-as-any-interest-whatever-on-an/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [Socialism is humanity's second nature. All politicians do is turn human vice into votes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilana-mercer/socialism-is-humanity-s-second-nature-all-politicians-do-is-turn/)

[Ilana Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilana-mercer/)

> [“Scholars have long debated whether capital markets lead to appropriate levels of saving and investment for future generations.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-l-weimer/scholars-have-long-debated-whether-capital-markets-lead-to/)

[David L. Weimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-l-weimer/)

> [“A car is one of the most interesting inventions, but driving is one of the most boring activities.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/a-car-is-one-of-the-most-interesting-inventions-but-driving-is-one-of/)

[Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/)

> [“Occult Theft,--Theft which hides itself even from itself, and is legal, respectable, and cowardly,--corrupts the body and soul of man, to the last fibre…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/occult-theft-theft-which-hides-itself-even-from-itself-and-is-legal/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Browse all 3,832 Capitalism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalism/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Corporations have nothing to do with values, and they know it, and sometimes say it.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Eric Kierans"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kierans/corporations-have-nothing-to-do-with-values-and-they-know-it-and/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Capitalism"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kierans/corporations-have-nothing-to-do-with-values-and-they-know-it-and/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fb/eric-kierans-47735_capitalism_corporations-have-nothing-to-do-with-val_3481.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fb/eric-kierans-47735_capitalism_corporations-have-nothing-to-do-with-val_3481.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fb/eric-kierans-47735_capitalism_corporations-have-nothing-to-do-with-val_3481.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Corporations have nothing to do with values, and they know it, and sometimes say it.” — Eric Kierans",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Eric Kierans",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kierans/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Corporations have nothing to do with...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kierans/corporations-have-nothing-to-do-with-values-and-they-know-it-and/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kierans/corporations-have-nothing-to-do-with-values-and-they-know-it-and/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
