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About this quote

What does it mean?
Greed overrides moral outrage when profit is made visible and justified publicly.
In plain terms
People overlook terrible actions if the person makes money and shows it.
What can you take from it?
Profit can sanitize immoral behavior in the public eye.

Where it applies

  • business scandals
  • military logistics
  • corporate ethics

Putting it to work

  • scrutinize profit motives
  • expose moral compromises

Questions to consider

  • Can profit ever justify harm?
  • How do we judge corrupt leaders?

Another view

Public disclosure does not always restore moral standing.

More from Joseph Heller

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  3. 'You know, that might be the answer - to act boastfully about something we ought to be ashamed of. That's a trick that never seems to fail.'

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