Quote by Karl Marx
In political practice, therefore, they join in all coercive measures against the working class;and in ordinary life, despite the high-falutin phrases, they stoop to pick up the golden apples, and to barter truth, love, and honour for traffic in wool, beet-root sugar, and potato spirits.
Summary
This quote criticizes the hypocritical actions of the political elite. It suggests that while they might express lofty ideals and rhetoric when it comes to supporting the working class, in reality, they actively participate in implementing oppressive measures against them. Furthermore, the quote highlights how these politicians hypocritically engage in ordinary pursuits of material gain, compromising their principles by prioritizing profit over truth, love, and honor. The use of "golden apples" symbolizes wealth and signifies the politicians' willingness to sacrifice important values for commercial deals involving commodities such as wool, beet-root sugar, and potato spirits.
By Karl Marx