Cunning man Quote by Mika Waltari
““Even were the time to come when there would be neither poor nor rich, yet there will always be wise and stupid, sly and simple, for so there have ever been and ever will be. The strong man sets his foot on the neck of the weakling; the cunning man runs off with the simpleton's purse and sets the dunce to work for him. Man is a crooked dealer and even his virtue is imperfect. Only he who lies down never to rise again is wholly good.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Egyptian by Mika Waltari, 1945
Human nature is eternally divided between wisdom and folly, and power always exploits the weak.
In simple terms: People are always split between smart and foolish, and strong dominate the weak.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the constant presence of both good and bad in society.
Themes
human nature
power
inequality
virtue
corruption
Mood
reflective
critical
serious
Type
observational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- social activism
- personal relationships
- education
- law enforcement
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you respond when you see power abused?
- Can virtue exist without hypocrisy?
A Different Perspective
Even the wise can be corrupted by power, and not all oppression is overt.
