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Poetry · Chapter

CXXX explained

A brief aphorism suggesting that Expediency and Righteousness are closely related, either as father and son or as harmonious brothers.

What happens

A brief aphorism suggesting that Expediency and Righteousness are closely related, either as father and son or as harmonious brothers.

Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

SetupAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the speaker’s obsessive pursuit of the divine rose fragrance…

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Themes in this chapter

  • Hypocrisy and Corruption

    The aphorism implies a close kinship between expediency and righteousness, hinting at the corruption of moral principles for practical gain.

  • Deception and Self-Deception

    The statement suggests that what is deemed righteous may merely be a guise for expedient actions, reflecting self-deception or societal hypocrisy.

Key passages

  • “If Expediency and Righteousness are not father and son they are the most harmonious brothers that ever were seen.”

    Expediency and righteousness are so closely aligned that they might as well be family.

    The aphorism equates practical convenience with moral virtue, suggesting they are nearly indistinguishable.

Poetry — CXXX Explained