Cynical Quote by John Harington
“Treason doth never prosper. What's the reason? Why, when it prospers, none dare call it treason.”
About This Quote
Source Play: The Tragedy of Sir John Oldcastle (attributed), 1599
Powerful actions often become acceptable when they succeed, blurring moral judgments.
In simple terms: Success can hide wrongdoing.
Key Takeaway
Question the ethics of success.
Themes
politics
ethics
power
hypocrisy
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- government decisions
- corporate mergers
- celebrity scandals
- legal reforms
Key Concepts
moral relativism
social acceptance
political expediency
Questions to Reflect On
- When does success excuse unethical conduct?
- How do societies redefine treason?
A Different Perspective
Success can legitimize harmful behavior.
![“From your confessor, lawyer and doctor, hide not your case on no condition. [Is this a way of saying that honesty is the best policy?]” quote by John Harington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3ee/john-harington-42921_cases_from-your-confessor-lawyer-and-doctor-hi_565267.jpg)
