Madeleine Lee in Ch. VIII
“
I have got so far as to lose the distinction between right and wrong. Isn't that the first step in politics?
— Henry Adams
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "I have got so far as to lose the distinction between right and wrong. Isn't that the first step in politics?" in the context of "Madeleine Lee in Ch. VIII" to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "Henry Adams" (Quotes, Democracy: An American Novel (1880))
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
About Henry Adams
Henry Brooks Adams (16 February 1838 – 27 March 1918) was a U.S. historian, journalist, novelist and educator. He was the great-grandson of John Adams, grandson of John Quincy Adams and son of Charles Francis Adams, Sr.
About Henry Adams
Henry Brooks Adams (16 February 1838 – 27 March 1918) was a U.S. historian, journalist, novelist and educator. He was the great-grandson of John Adams, grandson of John Quincy Adams and son of Charles Francis Adams, Sr.
View all quotes →