Absurd Quote by Vladimir Sorokin
“In Russia no one is surprised when an official accepts a bribe while at the same time portraying the state as some sacred entity to which the bourgeois should pay homage. This all sounds absurd. But for Russians it is completely normal.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Ice, Vladimir Sorokin, 2002
Corruption is normalized when state power is treated as sacred, making bribery seem ordinary.
In simple terms: Corruption feels normal when the state is sacred.
Key Takeaway
Question systemic corruption.
Themes
corruption
politics
culture
Mood
cynical
critical
Type
political
social commentary
When to use this quote
- government
- business
- everyday life
- activism
Key Concepts
Power dynamics
normative ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does sacred framing enable corruption?
- What can break this normalcy?
A Different Perspective
Normalization can mask harmful practices.
