Virtue isn't not wronging others but not wishing to wrong others.
DemocritusRead
The wrongdoer is more unfortunate than the man wronged.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Those who commit wrongdoings suffer more internally than their victims.
This quote suggests that individuals who engage in wrongdoing experience a deeper level of misfortune and distress than those who are wronged. It highlights the idea that moral culpability and the burden of guilt can lead to a troubled conscience, making the wrongdoer a victim of their own actions, despite appearing to be the perpetrator outwardly.
Themes
WrongdoingMisfortuneGuiltMoral ResponsibilityConscience
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about ethics, one might use this quote to illustrate the internal struggles of those who do wrong.
More from Democritus
All quotes βBeautiful objects are wrought by study through effort, but ugly things are reaped automatically without toil.
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One 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.
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