Cities Quote by Sophocles
“Nothing so evil as money ever grew to be current among men. This lays cities low, this drives men from their homes, this trains and warps honest souls till they set themselves to works of shame; this still teaches folk to practise villainies, and to know every godless deed. But all the men who wrought this thing for hire have made it sure that, soon or late, they shall pay the price.”
About This Quote
Source Play: Philoctetes (attributed), ancient Greek tragedy
Money corrupts societies, causing moral decay and suffering, but those who profit will eventually face consequences.
In simple terms: Greed leads to ruin.
Key Takeaway
Beware the corrupting power of wealth.
Themes
greed
corruption
justice
karma
Mood
cautionary
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political policy
- personal finance
- corporate ethics
- legal systems
Key Concepts
economic power
moral decay
social inequality
Questions to Reflect On
- What modern examples illustrate this warning?
- How can societies mitigate wealth-driven corruption?
A Different Perspective
Complex historical context may affect interpretation.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
