Beast Quote by Plato
“No one punishes the evil-doer under the notion, or for the reason, that he has done wrong -- only the unreasonable fury of a beast acts in that way. But he who desires to inflict rational punishment does not retaliate for a past wrong, for that which is done cannot be undone, but he has regard to the future, and is desirous that the man who is punished, and he who sees him punished, may be deterred from doing wrong again.”
About This Quote
Source Dialogue: Republic, Book III, Plato, c. 380 BC
Punishment should aim at preventing future wrongdoing, not merely revenge for past acts.
In simple terms: Punish to deter, not to avenge.
Key Takeaway
Focus on future deterrence.
Themes
justice
deterrence
ethics
retribution
law
Mood
reflective
serious
thoughtful
Type
ethical
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- criminal sentencing
- school discipline
- workplace policy
- public safety
- family rules
Key Concepts
philosophy
moral theory
social order
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance fairness with deterrence?
- What alternatives to punishment exist?
A Different Perspective
Punishment may not change past actions and can be perceived as harsh.
![“No visiting angel, or explorer from another planet, could have guessed that this bland orb [Earth] teemed with vermin, with world-mastering, self-torturing, incipiently angelic beasts.” quote by Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d65/olaf-stapledon-9950_angel_no-visiting-angel-or-explorer-from-anoth_12107.jpg)
