the good are not so by nature...For if they were, this…
““the good are not so by nature...For if they were, this would follow: if the good were so by nature, we would have people who knew which among the young were good by nature; we would take those whom they had pointed out and guard them in the Acropolis, sealing them up there much more carefully than gold so that no one could corrupt them, and when they reached maturity they would be useful to their cities.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
If goodness were innate, society could identify and protect the virtuous from corruption, but such a system is unrealistic.
In simple terms: Goodness isn’t innate; we can’t just lock good people away.
Key Takeaway
Recognize virtue must be cultivated, not merely guarded.
Themes
virtue
society
corruption
education
justice
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- education reform
- leadership selection
- community building
- public policy
- ethical training
Key Concepts
Platonism
ethical theory
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies nurture virtue without assuming innate goodness?
- What safeguards prevent corruption of the supposedly pure?
A Different Perspective
Human nature is complex; innate goodness is rare, making identification difficult.