When rogues like these (a sparrow cries)
To honours and employments rise,
I court no favor, ask read more

When rogues like these (a sparrow cries)
To honours and employments rise,
I court no favor, ask no place,
For such preferment is disgrace.

Power corrupts. Knowledge is power. Study hard. Be evil.

Power corrupts. Knowledge is power. Study hard. Be evil.

The spiritual virtue of a sacrament is like light; although it
passes among the impure, it is not polluted.
read more

The spiritual virtue of a sacrament is like light; although it
passes among the impure, it is not polluted.
[Lat., Spiritalis enim virtus sacramenti ita est ut lux: etsi
per immundos transeat, non inquinatur.]

Don't buy a single vote more than necessary. I'll be damned if I'm going to pay for a landslide.

Don't buy a single vote more than necessary. I'll be damned if I'm going to pay for a landslide.

It is said that power corrupts, but actually it's more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually read more

It is said that power corrupts, but actually it's more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power.

I know, when they prove bad, they are a sort of the vilest
creatures: yet still the same reason read more

I know, when they prove bad, they are a sort of the vilest
creatures: yet still the same reason gives it: for Optima
corrupta pessima: the best things corrupted become the worst.

At length corruption, like a general flood
(So long by watchful ministers withstood),
Shall deluge all; and read more

At length corruption, like a general flood
(So long by watchful ministers withstood),
Shall deluge all; and avarice, creeping on,
Spread like a low-born mist, and blot the sun.

'Tis the most certain sign, the world's accurst
That the best things corrupted, are the worst;
'Twas read more

'Tis the most certain sign, the world's accurst
That the best things corrupted, are the worst;
'Twas the corrupted Light of knowledge, hurl'd
Sin, Death, and Ignorance o'er all the world;
That Sun like this (from which our sight we have)
Gaz'd on too long, resumes the light he gave.

So true is that old saying, Corruptio optimi pessima.

So true is that old saying, Corruptio optimi pessima.