QuoteProject
Those who play with the devil's toys will be brought by degrees to wield his sword.
R. Buckminster Fuller
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Engaging in unethical or harmful activities can lead to greater consequences than initially anticipated.

This quote by R. Buckminster Fuller suggests that when individuals involve themselves in dubious or malevolent pursuits ('the devil's toys'), they may gradually become more entangled in these activities, ultimately facing dire consequences ('wield his sword'). It serves as a warning about the slippery slope of engaging with immoral choices and the inevitable repercussions that follow.

Themes

ConsequencesEthicsMoralityChoicesWarning

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used during a seminar on ethical decision-making in business.

More from R. Buckminster Fuller

Parents are usually more careful to bestow knowledge on their children rather than virtue, the art of speaking well rather than doing well; but their manners should be of the greatest concern.
R. Buckminster FullerRead
There is no such thing as genius, some children are just less damaged than others.
R. Buckminster FullerRead
Only the free-wheeling artist-explorer, non-academic, scientist-philosopher, mechanic, economist-poet who has never waited for patron-starting and accrediting of his co-ordinate capabilities holds the prime initiative today.
R. Buckminster FullerRead
The end move in politics is always to pick up a gun.
R. Buckminster FullerRead
I have spent most of my life unlearning things that were proved not to be true
R. Buckminster FullerRead
The earth is like a spaceship that didn't come with an operating manual.
R. Buckminster FullerRead

Similar quotes

Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established
ConfuciusRead
Is it more probable that nature should go out of her course, or that a man should tell a lie? We have never seen, in our time, nature go out of her course; but we have good reason to believe that millions of lies have been told in the same time.
Thomas PaineRead
There is no man who desires as passionately as a Russian. If we could imprison a Russian desire beneath a fortress, that fortress would explode.
Joseph De MaistreRead
I've always liked the idea of making things that last forever, not necessarily in the sense of being unbreakable, but more psychologically permanent. Most people throw stuff away not because it's broken but because their relationship with that object is broken.
Marcel WandersRead
An abnormal reaction to an abnormal situation is normal behavior.
Viktor E. FranklRead
Life is just a schoolroom with a glorious opportunity to prepare us for eternity.
Billy GrahamRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.