Beautiful objects are wrought by study through effort, but ugly things are reaped automatically without toil.
DemocritusRead
Virtue isn't not wronging others but not wishing to wrong others.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Virtue is primarily about one's intent to avoid causing harm to others rather than just avoiding harmful actions.
Democritus emphasizes that true virtue lies not only in refraining from doing wrong to others but also in cultivating a genuine desire not to harm them. This perspective highlights the importance of intention and inner moral compass in ethical behavior, suggesting that the desire to act virtuously is as crucial as the actions themselves.
Themes
VirtueIntentEthicsMoralityGoodness
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about morality, one might cite this quote to emphasize the importance of intention in ethical behavior.
More from Democritus
All quotes βOne should practice much sense, not much learning.
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Nature and education are somewhat similar. The latter transforms man, and in so doing creates a second nature.
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It is godlike ever to think on something beautiful and on something new.
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If thou suffer injustice, console thyself; the true unhappiness is in doing it.
DemocritusRead
The wrongdoer is more unfortunate than the man wronged.
DemocritusRead
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