--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ere man's corruptions made him wretched…" description: "\"Ere man's corruptions made him wretched, he Was born most noble that was born most free; Each of himself was lord; and unconfin'd Obey'd the dictates o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36f/thomas-otway-16151_born_ere-man-s-corruptions-made-him-wretched_1973182.png" --- # Ere man's corruptions made him wretched, he Was born most… ![“Ere man's corruptions made him wretched, he Was born most noble that was born most free; Each of himself was lord; and unconfin'd Obey'd the dictates of his godlike mind.” quote by Thomas Otway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36f/thomas-otway-16151_born_ere-man-s-corruptions-made-him-wretched_1973182.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36f/thomas-otway-16151_born_ere-man-s-corruptions-made-him-wretched_1973182.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36f/thomas-otway-16151_born_ere-man-s-corruptions-made-him-wretched_1973182.png) > “Ere man's corruptions made him wretched, he Was born most noble that was born most free; Each of himself was lord; and unconfin'd Obey'd the dictates of his godlike mind.” [Thomas Otway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-otway/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A noble, free-born man becomes corrupted, yet retains personal sovereignty over his mind and actions **In simple terms:** Even corrupted, one can retain inner freedom and self‑rule Key Takeaway Maintain personal integrity despite external corruption Themes corruption freedom nobility Mood melancholic thoughtful Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - political leadership - personal relationships - ethical dilemmas - social upheaval Key Concepts philosophy human nature self‑governance Questions to Reflect On - How do you preserve inner freedom when surrounded by corruption? - What responsibilities accompany noble birth? A Different Perspective Freedom may be limited by external forces and moral compromise ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Corruption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corruption/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Godlike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/godlike/) [Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lord/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/noble/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) ## Related quotes > [“Humans are a lesser kind, their lives like the flowers of the field that wither and fade with time. Our lives are everlasting. 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