Bases Quote by Walter M. Miller, Jr
“To minimize suffering and to maximize security were natural and proper ends of society and Caesar. But then they became the only ends, somehow, and the only basis of law—a perversion. Inevitably, then, in seeking only them, we found only their opposites: maximum suffering and minimum security.”
About This Quote
Source Book: A Canticle for Leibowitz, 1959
Society’s focus on security and suffering as sole goals leads to their opposite outcomes, perverting law and purpose.
In simple terms: Prioritizing only safety and pain creates more of both.
Key Takeaway
Balance values to avoid extremes.
Themes
ethics
politics
law
society
philosophy
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- legal reform
- community building
- personal ethics
Key Concepts
utilitarianism
social contract
perversion
Questions to Reflect On
- What values should accompany security?
- How can law reflect a broader purpose?
A Different Perspective
Neglects other human aspirations like freedom and creativity.
