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About this quote

What does it mean?
Nothing corrupts like virtue, referencing Shakespeare's Measure for Measure.
In plain terms
Virtue can be just as corrupting as vice.
What can you take from it?
Beware moral rigidity masking corruption.

Where it applies

  • judgment
  • authority

Putting it to work

  • Question moral absolutism
  • Check for hypocrisy

Questions to consider

  • When does virtue corrupt?
  • Is morality absolute?

Another view

Virtue isn't inherently corrupt; context matters.

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