Physicians think they do a lot for a patient when they give his disease a name.
Immanuel KantRead
Laws always lose in energy what the government gains in extent.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that as governments expand their authority, the effectiveness of laws diminishes.
Immanuel Kant's quote reflects on the relationship between government power and the rule of law. It implies that as the government seeks to extend its reach and control over various aspects of society, the original intent and impact of laws can weaken, leading to a decline in their effectiveness. In essence, an overreaching government may inadvertently undermine the structure of justice and legality that laws are meant to uphold.
Themes
LawsGovernmentPowerJusticeAuthority
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about political philosophy, one might use this quote to illustrate the complexities of government authority.
More from Immanuel Kant
All quotes βThe inscrutable wisdom through which we exist is not less worthy of veneration in respect to what it denies us than in respect to what it has granted.
Immanuel KantRead
One cannot avoid a certain feeling of disgust, when one observes the actions of man displayed on the great stage of the world. Wisdom is manifested by individuals here and there; but the web of human history as a whole appears to be woven from folly and childish vanity, often, too, from puerile wickedness and love of destruction: with the result that at the end one is puzzled to know what idea to form of our species which prides itself so much on its advantages.
Immanuel KantRead
I shall never forget my mother, for it was she who planted and nurtured the first seeds of good within me. She opened my heart to the lasting impressions of nature; she awakened my understanding and extended my horizon and her percepts exerted an everlasting influence upon the course of my life.
Immanuel KantRead
. . . as to moral feeling, this supposed special sense, the appeal to it is indeed superficial when those who cannot think believe that feeling will help them out, even in what concerns general laws: and besides, feelings which naturally differ infinitely in degree cannot furnish a uniform standard of good and evil, nor has any one a right to form judgments for others by his own feelings. . . .
Immanuel KantRead
Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe, the oftener and more steadily we reflect on them: the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me.
Immanuel KantRead
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