--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If a man says that it is right to give…" description: "\"If a man says that it is right to give every one his due, and therefore thinks within his own mind that injury is due from a just man to his enemies bu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ea/plato-103_cases_if-a-man-says-that-it-is-right-to-give-e_141884.jpg" --- # If a man says that it is right to give every one his due… ![“If a man says that it is right to give every one his due, and therefore thinks within his own mind that injury is due from a just man to his enemies but kindness to his friends, he was not wise who said so, for he spoke not the truth, for in no case has it appeared to be just to injure any one.” quote by Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ea/plato-103_cases_if-a-man-says-that-it-is-right-to-give-e_141884.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ea/plato-103_cases_if-a-man-says-that-it-is-right-to-give-e_141884.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ea/plato-103_cases_if-a-man-says-that-it-is-right-to-give-e_141884.jpg) > “If a man says that it is right to give every one his due, and therefore thinks within his own mind that injury is due from a just man to his enemies but kindness to his friends, he was not wise who said so, for he spoke not the truth, for in no case has it appeared to be just to injure any one.” [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A claim of justice that permits harming enemies while rewarding friends is contradictory and unwise. **In simple terms:** Justice cannot involve harming anyone. Key Takeaway True justice treats all equally. Themes justice ethics philosophy Mood inquisitive serious Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - legal theory - political debate - education Key Concepts moral relativism fairness Questions to Reflect On - How do we define justice impartially? - Can enemies ever be treated justly? A Different Perspective Rigid definitions may ignore context. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Injury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/injury/) [Kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindness/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) ## Related quotes > [Someone wise once said to me life is like a fairy tale, even when something knocks you down get right back up and show…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/someone-wise-once-said-to-me-life-is-like-a-fairy-tale-even-when/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The wise have always said the same things, and fools, who are the majority have always done just the opposite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-schopenhauer/the-wise-have-always-said-the-same-things-and-fools-who-are-the/) [Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-schopenhauer/) > [I always kill my enemies with kindness. 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