Common Quote by Philip James Bailey
“Corruption springs from light: 'tis one same power Creates, preserves, destroys; matter whereon It works, on e'er self-transmutative form, Common to now the living, now the dead.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "Festus" from The Book of Fire, 1845
Corruption is a force that creates, preserves, and destroys, affecting all life.
In simple terms: Corruption is a universal, transformative power.
Key Takeaway
Beware its influence.
Themes
morality
power
duality
Mood
thoughtful
poetic
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- political analysis
- environmental impact
- personal integrity
Key Concepts
entropy
transformation
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does power corrupt?
- Can destruction be constructive?
A Different Perspective
May be poetic, not literal.
![“Absolute truisms rot brains absolutely.[...]'Power corrupts' is useless as a tool for understanding the past, and gives us nothing as a guide to action.” quote by Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/53d/steven-brust-7934_absolutes_absolute-truisms-rot-brains-absolutely-p_1053894.jpg)
![“Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a [Soviet socialistic] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants, lands, banks, means of transportation, etc., remain untouched there, and, therefore, capitalism in Germany and Italy…” quote by Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/411/joseph-stalin-1734_capitalism_neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-natio_1430.jpg)
