Be a man Quote by Leo Strauss
“No bloody or unbloody change of society can eradicate the evil in man: as long as there will be men, there will be malice, envy and hatred, and hence there cannot be a society which does not have to employ coercive restraint.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Natural Right and History, 1950
Human nature includes malice, envy, and hatred, so any society must use coercive restraint to control these impulses.
In simple terms: People are naturally selfish, so societies need force to keep order.
Key Takeaway
Accept that some coercion is inevitable.
Themes
human nature
societal control
ethics
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
ethical
When to use this quote
- law enforcement
- government policy
- justice systems
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
political philosophy
moral realism
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it possible to design a society without coercion?
- How can we limit abuse of coercive power?
A Different Perspective
Coercion can suppress freedoms and may be abused.
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