Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.
Man perfected by society is the best of all animals; he is the most terrible of all when he lives without law, and without justice.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Aristotle suggests that humans reach their highest potential through societal structure, but can become destructive without laws and justice.
In this quote, Aristotle reflects on the dual nature of humanity as shaped by society. He posits that while individuals flourish and elevate as beings through the influence of social institutions like law and justice, they also possess the capacity for great destructiveness when left unchecked. This illustrates the importance of ethical frameworks in guiding human behavior and maintaining social order.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the role of law in society, you could reference this quote to emphasize the importance of legal structures.
More from Aristotle
All quotes βThose who cannot bravely face danger are the slaves of their attackers.
For often, when one is asleep, there is something in consciousness which declares that what then presents itself is but a dream.
You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.
But if nothing but soul, or in soul mind, is qualified to count, it is impossible for there to be time unless there is soul, but only that of which time is an attribute, i.e. if change can exist without soul.
The whole is more than the sum of its parts.
Similar quotes
Fear seems to have many causes. Fear of loss, fear of failure, fear of being hurt, and so on, but ultimately all fear is the ego's fear of death, of annihilation. To the ego, death is always just around the corner. In this mind-identified state, fear of death affects every aspect of your life.
You who let yourselves feel: enter the breathing _x000D_ That is more than your own. _x000D_ Let it brush your cheeks _x000D_ As it divides and rejoins behind you. _x000D_ _x000D_ The trees you planted in childhood have grown _x000D_ Too heavy. You cannot bring them along. _x000D_ Give yourselves to the air, to what you cannot hold.
A man screaming is not a dancing bear. Life is not a spectacle.
Fame is a form of misunderstanding.
Possibly, more people kill themselves and others out of hurt vanity than out of envy, jealousy, malice or desire for revenge.
No lusting after your neighbor's house - or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don't set your heart on anything that is your neighbor's.