I have often noticed that a bribe has that effect -- it changes a relation. The man who offers a bribe gives away a little of his own importance; the bribe once accepted, he becomes the inferior, like a man who has paid for a woman.

Summary

This quote by Joseph Conrad highlights the transformative power of bribes. When someone offers a bribe, they relinquish a portion of their dignity and worth. However, once the bribe is accepted, the receiver gains an upper hand and acquires superiority. The comparison to paying for a woman further emphasizes the notion that bribes shift the dynamics of a relationship, where the giver becomes subservient and the receiver assumes a position of control and dominance.

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