Corruption, a pervasive blight on societies across the globe, undermines trust, weakens institutions, and obstructs justice and progress. Throughout history, thinkers, leaders, writers, and activists have captured the essence of corruption — its causes, consequences, and the moral battles surrounding it — in powerful and memorable words. This article collects 83 short famous quotes on corruption, offering a profound reflection on its impact. These quotes stand on their own as sharp insights and warnings, without commentary, arranged numerically for clarity.
83 Famous Quotes About Corruption: Warnings You Shouldn’t Ignore
1. Democracy substitutes election by the incompetent many for appointment by the corrupt few.
2. The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.
3. Power corrupts the few, while weakness corrupts the many.
4. A married man with a family will do anything for money.
5. By the time a man gets to be presidential material, he’s been bought ten times over.
6. Corruption is like a ball of snow, once it’s set a rolling it must increase.
7. Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods.
8. If something can corrupt you, you’re corrupted already.
9. Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.
10. The only difference between the Democrats and the Republicans is that the Democrats allow the poor to be corrupt, too.
11. Corruption, the most infallible symptom of constitutional liberty.
12. Beware the influence of the military-industrial complex.
13. All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities.
14. He that is already corrupt is naturally suspicious, and he that becomes suspicious will quickly become corrupt.
15. Absolute faith corrupts as absolutely as absolute power.
16. Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts… perhaps the fear of a loss of power.
17. To a shower of gold most things are penetrable.
18. Our worst enemies here are not the ignorant and simple, however cruel; our worst enemies are the intelligent and corrupt.
19. Ninety percent of the politicians give the other ten percent a bad reputation.
20. When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators.
21. The corruption of the best is the worst of all.
22. We want either less corruption, or more chance to participate in it.
23. Every man has his price.
24. A golden key can open any door.
25. Corruption hates what is not corrupt.
26. Power attracts the corruptible. Suspect any who seek it.
27. Instead of politicians, let the monkeys govern the countries; at least they will steal only the bananas.
28. I have seen corruption boil and bubble ’til it overrun the stew.
29. Life is a corrupting process from the time a child learns to play his mother off against his father.
30. Keep the Aspidistra Flying — page to page corruption.
31. The duty of youth is to challenge corruption.
32. People should be conscious that they can change a corrupt system.
33. Without strong watchdog institutions, impunity becomes the foundation upon which corruption is built.
34. Integrity, transparency and the fight against corruption have to be part of the culture.
35. People’s indifference is the best breeding ground for corruption to grow.
36. Corruption is paid by the poor.
37. Anyone who wants to tackle corruption must be willing to go all the way. There are no shortcuts.
38. The evil of corruption reaches into every corner of the world.
39. The truth will always be our shield against corruption.
40. If corruption is a disease, transparency is a central part of its treatment.
41. A lack of transparency results in distrust and a deep sense of insecurity.
42. Radical transparency. There is no going backwards.
43. Fighting corruption is not an end in itself; it is a fight for social justice, peace, and security.
44. The corruption of the best things gives rise to the worst.
45. Corruption in the form of bribery and misuse of public funds is a major obstacle to democracy and economic development.
46. Corruption wins not more than honesty.
47. If something can corrupt you, you’re already corrupted.
48. Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
49. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority.
50. Books, not weapons. Morality, not corruption. Intellectualism and wisdom, not ignorance.
51. Stability, not fear and terror. Peace, not chaos. Love, not hate.
52. Corruption humiliates the ordinary citizen and weakens the state.
53. Power attracts pathological personalities.
54. Corruption is a cancer that eats away at a citizen’s faith in democracy.
55. Corruption diminishes the instinct for innovation and creativity.
56. Corruption poisons everything it touches.
57. Corruption flourishes where oversight and accountability are absent.
58. No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar; corrupted memories are worse.
59. Putting a check on corruption is putting a check on power abuse.
60. Corruption destroys the fabric of trust necessary for social cohesion.
61. The absence of corruption is the foundation of good governance.
62. Bribery is the tool of the corrupt, the weapon of the greedy.
63. Corruption thrives in shadows; transparency is its greatest enemy.
64. Corruption is a thief that steals from the future.
65. Justice delayed by corruption is justice denied.
66. The strongest chains of corruption are forged by silence and complicity.
67. Corruption is the deliberate act of dishonesty for individual gain.
68. A corrupt mind is the wellspring of a corrupt society.
69. Corruption undermines democracy, distorts markets, and erodes the rule of law.
70. The best defense against corruption is an informed and vigilant citizenry.
71. Corruption is the enemy of development and the enemy of the rule of law.
72. Where corruption reigns, poverty and injustice thrive.
73. The fight against corruption is a fight for human dignity and equality.
74. Corruption turns the public servant into a private profiteer.
75. Corruption must be uprooted to build a society based on transparency and fairness.
76. Every act of corruption is a betrayal of public trust.
77. Corruption is a slow poison that destroys societies from within.
78. When corruption spreads, justice retreats.
79. Corruption feeds on secrecy and flourishes in darkness.
80. The price of corruption is paid by ordinary citizens, especially the vulnerable.
81. Corruption weakens institutions and cripples democratic governance.
82. The battle against corruption is the foundation for sustainable development.
83. Without integrity, every achievement is tainted by corruption.
Conclusion
The quotes above provide a powerful mosaic of perspectives on corruption from diverse minds and moments in history. Together, they reveal corruption as a complex, relentless force that undermines justice, democracy, and social progress. Recognizing corruption’s many faces and the urgency of transparency and integrity is essential. These words can inspire awareness and action in the ongoing struggle to build societies where fairness and accountability prevail.
