--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Again, it is absurd to hold that a man…" description: "\"“Again, it is absurd to hold that a man ought to be ashamed of being unable to defend himself with his limbs, but not of being unable to defend himself..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70e/aristotle-78_benefits_again-it-is-absurd-to-hold-that-a-man-ou_2190609.png" --- # Again, it is absurd to hold that a man ought to be ashamed… ![“Again, it is absurd to hold that a man ought to be ashamed of being unable to defend himself with his limbs, but not of being unable to defend himself with speech and reason, when the use of rational speech is more distinctive of a human being than the use of his limbs. And if it be objected that…” quote by Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70e/aristotle-78_benefits_again-it-is-absurd-to-hold-that-a-man-ou_2190609.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70e/aristotle-78_benefits_again-it-is-absurd-to-hold-that-a-man-ou_2190609.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70e/aristotle-78_benefits_again-it-is-absurd-to-hold-that-a-man-ou_2190609.png) > ““Again, it is absurd to hold that a man ought to be ashamed of being unable to defend himself with his limbs, but not of being unable to defend himself with speech and reason, when the use of rational speech is more distinctive of a human being than the use of his limbs. And if it be objected that one who uses such power of speech unjustly might do great harm, that is a charge which may be made in common against all good things except virtue, and above all against the things that are most useful, as strength, health, wealth, generalship. A man can confer the greatest of benefits by a right use of these, and inflict the greatest of injuries by using them wrongly.”” [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The power of speech and reason surpasses physical strength; misuse of language can cause great harm, while proper use yields profound benefits. **In simple terms:** Reasoned speech is more powerful than physical force. Key Takeaway Speak wisely, act responsibly. Themes communication ethics reason power Mood thoughtful serious Type philosophical didactic When to use this quote - public speaking - leadership - debate - conflict resolution Key Concepts philosophy rhetoric morality Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure your speech is ethical? - When should physical action replace words? A Different Perspective Words can be weaponized, causing damage if unchecked. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Benefits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benefits/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Defend Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defend-speech-3255128/) [Defense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defense/) [Good thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-thing/) [Good things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-things/) [Health wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health-wealth/) [Limbs Objected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limbs-objected-4769175/) [Persuasion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persuasion/) [Power of speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power-of-speech/) [Rational Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rational-speech-3255127/) [Rhetoric](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rhetoric/) [Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech/) [Speech Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech-reason-3427888/) [Speech Unjustly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech-unjustly-4769174/) ## Related quotes > [It is absurd to hold that a man ought to be ashamed of being unable to defend himself with his limbs, but not of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/it-is-absurd-to-hold-that-a-man-ought-to-be-ashamed-of-being-unable/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [It is absurd to hold that a man should be ashamed of an inability to defend himself with his limbs, but not ashamed of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/it-is-absurd-to-hold-that-a-man-should-be-ashamed-of-an-inability-to/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Speech is reason's brother, and a kingly prerogative of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-farquhar-tupper/speech-is-reason-s-brother-and-a-kingly-prerogative-of-man/) [Martin Farquhar Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-farquhar-tupper/) > [“Wherever the relevance of speech is at stake, matters become political by definition, for speech is what makes man a political being. 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