Begets Quote by Robert Southey
“They who once engage in iniquitous designs miserably deceive themselves when they think that they will go so far and no farther; one fault begets another, one crime renders another necessary; and thus they are impelled continually downward into a depth of guilt, which at the commencement of their career they would have died rather than have incurred.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Curse of the River, 1805
Bad deeds create a chain of escalating wrongdoing, leading to deeper guilt and inevitable downfall.
In simple terms: Wrong actions cause more wrongs and increasing guilt.
Key Takeaway
Avoid harmful choices early.
Themes
morality
consequences
guilt
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
cautionary
ethical
When to use this quote
- career start
- legal decisions
- personal relationships
- financial dealings
Key Concepts
ethical decay
self‑deception
cumulative harm
Questions to Reflect On
- What patterns of escalation have you observed?
- How can early accountability prevent later guilt?
A Different Perspective
Even with awareness, people may rationalize continued misdeeds.
![“The messiness [in my books] is nothing like an Atwood novel. For me, the deeper subjects are secrets versus intimacy, and how both beget safety but also threaten it. And there is a lot for me about loss, too.” quote by Edan Lepucki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/580/edan-lepucki-20626_begets_the-messiness-in-my-books-is-nothing-lik_132412.jpg)
