For as the interposition of a rivulet, however small, will…
“For as the interposition of a rivulet, however small, will occasion the line of the phalanx to fluctuate, so any trifling disagreement will be the cause of seditions; but they will not so soon flow from anything else as from the disagreement between virtue and vice, and next to that between poverty and riches.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Small disputes can destabilize groups, but deeper conflicts between virtue and vice or poverty and wealth cause the greatest upheavals.
In simple terms: Minor disagreements can ripple, but core moral/economic divides drive revolts.
Key Takeaway
Address fundamental values before minor grievances.
Themes
politics
conflict
morality
economics
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- team dynamics
- community leadership
- policy making
- social movements
Key Concepts
virtue ethics
social cohesion
class struggle
Questions to Reflect On
- What core values are at stake in your group?
- How can you reconcile economic disparities?
A Different Perspective
Minor issues may mask deeper systemic problems.