Democracy divides people into workers and loafers. It makes no provision for those who have no time to work.
Karl KrausRead
Corruption is worse than prostitution. The latter might endanger the morals of an individual, the former invariably endangers the morals of the entire country.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Corruption has a broader and more damaging impact on society than prostitution, affecting the morals of an entire nation.
In this quote, Karl Kraus emphasizes the dire consequences of corruption, suggesting that while prostitution may compromise individual morals, corruption undermines the ethical fabric of an entire society. This statement serves as a critique of moral decay caused by corrupt practices in governance and leadership, indicating that the repercussions of corruption extend far beyond personal choices and can lead to systemic failures.
Themes
CorruptionMoralitySocietyEthicsProstitution
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate about government reforms, one might say, 'As Karl Kraus noted, corruption is worse than prostitution, as it harms an entire nation.'
More from Karl Kraus
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War: first, one hopes to win; then one expects the enemy to lose; then, one is satisfied that he too is suffering; in the end, one is surprised that everyone has lost.
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Stupidity is an elemental force for which no earthquake is a match.
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Experiences are savings which a miser puts aside. Wisdom is an inheritance which a wastrel cannot exhaust.
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Sexuality poorly repressed unsettles some families; well repressed, it unsettles the whole world.
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