Men Quote by Samuel Johnson
“A man has no more right to say an uncivil thing than to act one; no more right to say a rude thing to another than to knock him down.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Rambler, Samuel Johnson, 1750
One should not speak uncivilly unless they are prepared to act similarly; speech and action share moral responsibility.
In simple terms: Words and deeds share the same moral standard.
Key Takeaway
Speak kindly, act kindly.
Themes
ethics
speech
behavior
responsibility
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- conflict resolution
- personal conduct
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
social conduct
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it fair to limit speech based on potential actions?
- How can we encourage civil discourse?
A Different Perspective
People may argue free speech protects harsh words.
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)