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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.
Aristotle
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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

SocietyLawJusticeHuman NatureEthics

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.

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