Corruption Quote by Graham Greene
“What an unbearable creature he must have been in those days--and yet in those days he had been comparatively innocent. That was another mystery: it sometimes seemed to him that venial sins--impatience, an unimportant lie, pride, a neglected opportunity--cut you off from grace more completely than the worst sins of all. Then, in his innocence, he had felt no love for anyone; now in his corruption he had learnt.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The End of the Affair, Graham Greene, 1951
The passage reflects on how minor faults can feel more damaging than major ones, and how innocence can be devoid of love, while corruption brings painful awareness.
In simple terms: Small sins seem harsher than big ones; innocence lacks love, corruption teaches it.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the hidden cost of minor faults and seek love despite past corruption.
Themes
morality
innocence
corruption
love
self-awareness
Mood
reflective
melancholy
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- ethical dilemmas
- spiritual growth
Key Concepts
sin
grace
human frailty
redemption
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you judge small faults harsher than big ones?
- How does love emerge from loss?
A Different Perspective
The view may overstate minor sins' impact, ignoring context and intention.
![“Corruption could lead to the collapse of the Party [Communist Party of China] and the downfall of the state [People's Republic of China].” quote by Xi Jinping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7b8/xi-jinping-16533_china_corruption-could-lead-to-the-collapse-of_9525.jpg)
