Doe Quote by Aristotle
“The law does not expressly permit suicide, and what it does not permit it forbids.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Nicomachean Ethics, c. 350 BC
He argues that if an act is not allowed, it is effectively prohibited, implying a moral prohibition.
In simple terms: If not allowed, it is forbidden.
Consider the moral weight of prohibitions.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- legal judgments
- ethical decision making
- policy drafting
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Is every illegal act morally wrong?
- How do societies define prohibitions?
Interpretations of law can vary across cultures.