Corruption Quote by Karl Marx
““Finally, there came a time when everything that men had considered as inalienable became an object of exchange, of traffic and could be alienated. This is the time when the very things which till then had been communicated, but never exchanged; given, but never sold; acquired, but never bought – virtue, love, conviction, knowledge, conscience, etc. – when everything, in short, passed into commerce. It is the time of general corruption, of universal venality, or, to speak in terms of political economy, the time when everything, moral or physical, having become a marketable value, is brought to the market to be assessed at its truest value.””
About This Quote
When moral and intangible values become market commodities, society turns into a system of corruption where everything is judged by price.
In simple terms: Moral values become market goods, leading to corruption.
Key Takeaway
Beware of turning virtues into market items.
Themes
ethics
economics
corruption
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
economic
When to use this quote
- policy debate
- business ethics
- personal values
Key Concepts
marxism
political economy
Questions to Reflect On
- What values have you seen commodified?
- How can we protect non‑market values?
A Different Perspective
Market forces can erode intrinsic worth.
![“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)
