In the system of the French revolution that which is immoral is impolitic, and what tends to corrupt is counter-revolutionary. Weaknesses, vices, prejudices are the road to monarchy.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Immoral actions hurt the revolution; vice leads to returning to monarchy.
- In plain terms
- Bad morals and vices ruin the revolution and bring back kings.
- What can you take from it?
- Maintain morality to protect revolutionary goals.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes a revolution moral?
- How does vice harm society?
Another view
Morality is subjective and hard to enforce.
More from Maximilien Robespierre
Crime butchers innocence to secure a throne, and innocence struggles with all its might against the attempts of crime.
Permalink to quote #19 The secret of freedom lies in educating people, whereas the secret of tyranny is in keeping them ignorant.
Permalink to quote #21 Atheism is aristocratic; the idea of a great Being that watches over oppressed innocence and punishes triumphant crime is altogether popular.
Permalink to quote #18
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