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Nearly all the evils in the Church have arisen from bishops desiring power more than light. They want authority, not outlook.
John Ruskin
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote critiques the pursuit of power over understanding within religious institutions.

John Ruskin highlights a fundamental issue within the Church, suggesting that the desire for authority among bishops often overshadows their pursuit of wisdom and enlightenment. This prioritization of power leads to various evils and corruption within the institution, indicating that true leadership should be based on insight and moral clarity rather than the mere exertion of control.

Themes

PowerAuthorityChurchWisdomCorruption

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about ethical leadership, this quote can be used to highlight the importance of integrity.

More from John Ruskin

Endurance is nobler than strength, and patience than beauty.
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In health of mind and body, men should see with their own eyes, hear and speak without trumpets, walk on their feet, not on wheels, and work and war with their arms, not with engine-beams, nor rifles warranted to kill twenty men at a shot before you can see them.
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You talk of the scythe of Time, and the tooth of Time: I tell you, Time is scytheless and toothless; it is we who gnaw like the worm - we who smite like the scythe. It is ourselves who abolish - ourselves who consume: we are the mildew, and the flame.
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To be able to ask a question clearly is two-thirds of the way to getting it answered.
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See that your children be taught, not only the labors of the earth, but the loveliness of it.
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A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.
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