Even if we could suppose the citizen body to be virtuous…
“Even if we could suppose the citizen body to be virtuous, without each of them being so, yet the latter would be better, for in the virtue of each the virtue of all is involved.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Collective virtue improves when individuals act virtuously; the whole benefits from each person's goodness.
In simple terms: The whole is better when each person is virtuous.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate personal virtue to uplift society.
Themes
ethics
community
virtue
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- education
- leadership
- public policy
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
collective good
Questions to Reflect On
- What virtues most impact community health?
- How can societies foster virtuous behavior?
A Different Perspective
Virtue alone may not fix systemic flaws.