Cities Quote by Euripides
“There is nothing more hostile to a city that a tyrant, under whom in the first and chiefest place, there are not laws in common, but one man, keeping the law himself to himself, has the sway, and this is no longer equal.”
About This Quote
Source Play: The Bacchae by Euripides, 5th century BC
A tyrant who rules without shared laws creates a hostile environment for the city, concentrating power in one person and eroding equality.
In simple terms: A ruler with no common laws harms the city.
Key Takeaway
Promote shared laws and checks on power.
Themes
justice
power
equality
governance
Mood
concerned
critical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political reform
- community building
- citizen activism
Key Concepts
authoritarianism
rule of law
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens ensure laws remain common?
- What mechanisms prevent a single ruler from monopolizing law?
A Different Perspective
Power concentration can still be resisted by collective action.
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