Accounts Quote by Michel de Montaigne
“There is no passion that so much transports men from their right judgments as anger. No one would demur upon punishing a judge with death who should condemn a criminal upon the account of his own choler; why then should fathers and pedants be any more allowed to whip and chastise children in their anger? It is then no longer correction bat revenge. Chastisement is instead of physic to children; and should we suffer a physician who should be animated against and enraged at his patient?”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Essays, Book I, 1580
Anger can override rational judgment, leading to punitive actions that blur the line between discipline and revenge.
In simple terms: Anger clouds judgment and can turn correction into revenge.
Key Takeaway
Control anger to maintain fair discipline.
Themes
justice
anger
parenting
ethics
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- courtroom sentencing
- parental discipline
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
psychology
social control
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we distinguish justified anger from destructive rage?
- What safeguards prevent punitive excess?
A Different Perspective
Anger may be justified in some contexts, complicating moral judgments.
