P. J. O'Rourke Quotes

In a word, everything is for sale, anything can be bought in our country. And in this flow, he who holds the slightest cover of public authority uses it illegally to acquire money, goods, prestige or to avoid obligations. The right to be recognized by a public servant, to have one's children enrolled in school, to obtain medical care, etc. ...are all subject to this tax which, though invisible, is known and expected by all.

It is generally better to have public officials resented because they earn more money than the average for the society, than it is for those officials to be resented for their corrupt practices in order to better their income.

Here is where you get into the danger zone, when the government official starts talking about U.S. government business and then also talking about what personal business favors they might want. And when the conversation goes down that road, it does risk crossing the line into solicitation of a bribe.

I knew President Yeltsin well. He would never have tolerated government officials demonstratively showing off the millions they acquired through corruption, the way it's done today.

In order to thrive, the slave trade requires the direct or indirect involvement of national governments, at both the source and the destination. Since prophets are high, slavers have plenty of money to pay off government officials and local police…. If ordinary criminals are rarely punished for dealing in slaves, high level officials in such places enjoyed even more impunity.

A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever it turns, it prospers.

Allah has cursed the one who pays bribes, the one who receives them, and the one who arranges the act between two parties.

The administration of government has become more complex. The opportunities for malfeasance and corruption have multiplied.

… an organized system of blackguardism.

There are counties where bribes must be paid in order to get anything done

The whole system is bribery.

The loggers are more powerful than we are …. There is bribery everywhere.

The main thing is the ‘rule of corruption’: helping the horse both to race and also to get a mouthful of hay. It’s what all civil servants are secretly thinking. Our expectations for our civil servants are far too high, far too grandiose. The pressure is more than their flesh-and-blood bodies can stand.

Big contributions from those who are seeking government favors are a menace to honest government.

Corruption in Saudi Arabia is quite different from corruption in most other countries, as it is not limited to a 'bribe' in return for a contract, or expensive gift for the family member of a government official or prince, or use of a private jet that is charged to the government so a family can go on vacation.

Every public institution in the United States and most private ones are corrupt.

Corruption in government is an overwhelming problem.

Corruption happens because there is impunity. That's the reason why corruption is widespread at all levels - from the person who asks for a bribe on the street to those who hold prominent positions.

Corrupt officials are usually close-mouthed and open-handed.

Corruption exists because there is too much, not too little, market.

Every government is always growing corrupt.

I'm only a poor corrupt official.

Unfortunately, corruption is widespread in government agencies and public enterprises.

Right here at home, we have seen what happens when a politician breaks that public trust, when they are dishonest and corrupt.

No one gets punished for corruption in our country.