The Man with the Muckrake: Lies and Deceit Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Sentence)

Quote #4

The first requisite in the public servants who are to deal in this shape with corporations, whether as legislators or as executives, is honesty. (73)

If honesty is the most valued trait in a private citizen, then it is definitely the most valued trait in a public servant, aka a lawyer.

Quote #5

If a public man is willing to yield to popular clamor and do wrong to the men of wealth or to rich corporations, it may be set down as certain that if the opportunity comes he will secretly and furtively do wrong to the public in the interest of a corporation. (80)

This quote doesn't seem to jibe. He's implying that a dishonest lawyer would swing one way or the other depending on what benefited him the most, but the man looking to fill his own pockets would side with the corporation 10 times out of 10 for those sweet corporate dollars. Not many lawyers looking out for themselves would become a public defendant, right?