when Dandamys the Wise heard accounts of the lives of…
““when Dandamys the Wise heard accounts of the lives of Socrates, Pythagoras and Diogenes, he said that they were in every way great personalities, except for their being too subject to venerating the Law: for, to support Law with its authority, true virtue must doff much of its original vigour; and many vicious deeds are done not merely with the Law’s permission but at its instigation:13””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Montaigne warns that strict adherence to law can suppress genuine virtue, leading to harmful actions justified by authority.
In simple terms: Law can stifle true virtue and cause wrongdoing.
Key Takeaway
Balance respect for law with personal moral judgment.
Themes
authority
virtue
law
morality
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- judicial decisions
- personal ethics
Key Concepts
ethical philosophy
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- How can individuals maintain virtue within legal constraints?
- When does law become a tool for vice?
A Different Perspective
Law alone cannot guarantee moral behavior.