The enduring lesson is war is a disaster. Whoever wins, tremendous loss of life, property - a set back for civilisation.
Lee Kuan YewRead
I got nothing against the honest cop on the beat. You just have them transferred someplace where they can't do you any harm. But don't ever talk to me about the honor of police captains or judges. If they couldn't be bought they wouldn't have the job.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques the integrity of law enforcement and the judicial system, suggesting that corruption is inherent within these institutions.
Al Capone's quote reflects a deep skepticism towards the integrity of the judicial and law enforcement systems. He recognizes that while some officers may act honorably, the larger structure allows for and even encourages corruption, as positions of power are often filled by those who can be easily influenced or 'bought'. This skepticism highlights a disillusionment with authority and the idea that true integrity is often compromised within the systems meant to uphold justice.
Themes
CorruptionJusticeIntegrityLaw EnforcementAuthorityDisillusionment
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about police reform to highlight issues of integrity within law enforcement.
Similar quotes
This land is your land, this land is my land
Woody GuthrieRead
Myths are public dreams; dreams are private myths. By finding your own dream and following it through, it will lead you to the myth-world in which you live. But just as in dream, the subject and object, though they seem to be separate, are really the same.
Joseph CampbellRead
Life will be wonderful when men no longer fear dying. When the last superstitions are thrown out and we meet death with the same equanimity as life. No longer will children's minds be twisted by evil gods whose fantastic origin is in those barbaric tribes who feared death and lightning, who feared life. That's it: life is the villain to to those who preach reward in death, through grace and eternal bliss, or through dark revenge.
Gore VidalRead
The spirit of democracy... requires change of the heart... requires the inculcation of the spirit of brotherhood.
Mahatma GandhiRead
The essence of immorality is the tendency to make an exception of myself.
Jane AddamsRead