Cowardice Quote by Chrysippus
“There could be no justice, unless there were also injustice; no courage, unless there were cowardice; no truth, unless there were falsehood.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Fragments of Stoic Philosophy, 3rd century BC
Justice, courage, and truth are defined by their opposites; without contrast we cannot recognize them.
In simple terms: Opposites define virtues.
Key Takeaway
Recognize contrast to value virtues.
Themes
philosophy
ethics
logic
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- legal judgments
- personal growth
- moral education
Key Concepts
Stoicism
dialectic
binary opposition
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you identify true virtue without its opposite?
- Can contrast be created artificially?
A Different Perspective
Opposites may oversimplify complex realities.
![“[D]on't grow old. With age comes caution, which is another name for cowardice… Whatever else you do in life, don't cultivate a conscience. Without a conscience a man may never be said to grow old. This is an age of very old young men.” quote by Hesketh Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/076/hesketh-pearson-35291_age_d-on-t-grow-old-with-age-comes-caution-w_14010.jpg)
