QUOTES Flashcards
“Justice means minding your own business and not meddling with other men’s concerns.”
Justice as Social Harmony, is achieved when each person performs their natural role in society without interfering with others, creating harmony.
Plato - The Republic
“The object of education is to turn the eye which the soul already possesses to the light.”
Education and Enlightenment is about guiding the soul toward truth and knowledge, not simply filling the mind with information.
Plato - The Republic
“Until philosophers are kings, or the kings and princes of this world have the spirit and power of philosophy, cities will never have rest from their evils.”
Philosopher-King
Only rulers who possess wisdom and philosophical knowledge, especially of justice, are fit to govern a just city.
Plato - The Republic
“How could they see anything but the shadows if they were never allowed to move their heads?”
Allegory of the Cave
Humans are trapped in ignorance, only perceiving shadows of reality, unless they pursue philosophical enlightenment.
Plato - The Republic
“Man is by nature a political animal.”
Human Nature and Society
Humans are social beings who naturally form political communities to achieve their full potential through participation in the polis.
Aristotle - The Politics
“The state exists for the sake of a good life, and not for the sake of life only.”
Purpose of the State
The state’s role is to ensure not only survival but also the achievement of a good and virtuous life for its citizens.
Aristotle - The Politics
“It is more proper that law should govern than any one of the citizens.”
Rule of Law
Impartial and rational laws should govern society rather than the arbitrary will of individuals.
Aristotle - The Politics
The best form of government is that which is adapted to the particular character of the citizens.”
Pragmatic Politics
A government must be suited to the nature of its people; different regimes work better for different societies.
Aristotle - The Politics
“Two cities have been formed by two loves: the earthly by the love of self, even to the contempt of God; the heavenly by the love of God, even to the contempt of self.”
Earthly vs. Heavenly City
The earthly city is driven by self-love and sin, while the City of God is guided by divine love and seeks eternal life with God.
Augustine - City of God
“Two cities have been formed by two loves: the earthly by the love of self, even to the contempt of God; the heavenly by the love of God, even to the contempt of self.”
Earthly vs. Heavenly City
The earthly city is driven by self-love and sin, while the City of God is guided by divine love and seeks eternal life with God.
Augustine - City of God
“The church is the pilgrim city on earth, journeying toward the heavenly city.”
Role of the Church
The Church represents the heavenly city on earth, guiding people toward salvation and eternal life with God.
Augustine - City of God
“For the good man, even death is a good thing.”
Christian View of Suffering and Death
Death is not a punishment for the righteous but a transition to eternal life with God.
Augustine - City of God
“Eternal law is the plan of divine wisdom as directing all actions and movements.”
Eternal law is God’s overarching plan for the universe, guiding everything according to divine wisdom.
Aquinas on Law
“Natural law is nothing else than the rational creature’s participation of the eternal law.”
Natural Law
Through reason, humans participate in God’s eternal law, discerning what is good and just.
Aquinas on Law
“Law is an ordinance of reason for the common good, made by him who has care of the community.”
Definition of Law
Law is rational and promotes the common good, aligning with reason and moral order.
Aquinas on Law
“Human law is law insofar as it is in accord with right reason and thus derives from the eternal law.”
Just Law
Human law must be consistent with natural and eternal law to be just; unjust laws are not true laws.
Aquinas on Law
“It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.”
Fear vs. Love in Leadership
Rulers should prioritize being feared over being loved because fear is a more reliable way to maintain power.
Machiavelli - The Prince
“The ends justify the means.”
Pragmatism in Power
Success in political leadership justifies the use of any necessary means, regardless of traditional morality.
Machiavelli - The Prince
“Fortune is a woman, and if you wish to control her, you must beat her and batter her.”
Fortune and Virtù
Fortune is unpredictable, but a successful ruler must assert control aggressively to shape his destiny.
Machiavelli - The Prince
“A prudent ruler cannot keep his word, nor should he, when such fidelity would damage him.”
Deception in Politics
A wise ruler must be willing to break promises when necessary to maintain power; flexibility and cunning are essential.
Machiavelli - The Prince
“The lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves.”
Balance of Cunning and Strength
A successful leader must combine the strength of a lion with the cunning of a fox to survive political threats.
Machiavelli - The Prince
