--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Socrates: “The corruption of the best…" description: "\"“Socrates: “The corruption of the best things are the worst things.” Or, “The best, when corrupted, become the worst.” As one of your English poets has..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c38/peter-kreeft-820_poetry_socrates-the-corruption-of-the-best-thin_1423786.jpg" --- # Socrates: “The corruption of the best things are the worst… ![“Socrates: “The corruption of the best things are the worst things.” Or, “The best, when corrupted, become the worst.” As one of your English poets has said, “Lilies that fester smell far worse than weeds.” quote by Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c38/peter-kreeft-820_poetry_socrates-the-corruption-of-the-best-thin_1423786.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c38/peter-kreeft-820_poetry_socrates-the-corruption-of-the-best-thin_1423786.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c38/peter-kreeft-820_poetry_socrates-the-corruption-of-the-best-thin_1423786.jpg) > ““Socrates: “The corruption of the best things are the worst things.” Or, “The best, when corrupted, become the worst.” As one of your English poets has said, “Lilies that fester smell far worse than weeds.”” [Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Even the finest and most virtuous things can become harmful when they are tainted or misused. **In simple terms:** Good things become bad when corrupted. Key Takeaway Guard integrity to prevent decay. Themes integrity corruption virtue Mood cautious reflective Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - leadership - education - policy making - personal relationships Key Concepts ethics moral decay philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How do you recognize early signs of corruption? - What safeguards can protect virtue? A Different Perspective Corruption can be subtle and hard to detect. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Corrupted Worst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corrupted-worst-5050262/) [Corruption Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corruption-best-2819151/) [English Poets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/english-poets/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Socrates Corruption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/socrates-corruption-5050261/) [Things Worst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-worst-407963/) [Worst things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worst-things/) ## Related quotes > [The corruption of the best things gives rise to the worst.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hume/the-corruption-of-the-best-things-gives-rise-to-the-worst/) [David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hume/) > [The corruption of the best is the worst.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maude-royden/the-corruption-of-the-best-is-the-worst/) [Maude Royden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maude-royden/) > [What are the best things and the worst things in your life, and when are you going to get around to whispering or shouting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/what-are-the-best-things-and-the-worst-things-in-your-life-and-when/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“Bad things are not the worst things that an happen to us. 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