“The generality of men are naturally apt to be swayed by fear rather than reverence, and to refrain from evil rather because of the punishment that it brings than because of its own foulness.”
- 384 BC – 322 BC
- Originating from Macedonia in ancient Greece
- Philosopher and scientist, founder of the Lyceum academy
- A student of Plato, he constructed systematic knowledge in logic, biology, politics, ethics, etc., and had a major impact on the development of Western thought and science
Quote
“The generality of men are naturally apt to be swayed by fear rather than reverence, and to refrain from evil rather because of the punishment that it brings than because of its own foulness.”
Explanation
In this quote, Aristotle reflects on the nature of human behavior and motivation, suggesting that most people are driven more by fear of punishment than by reverence or an intrinsic sense of moral duty. People are often more motivated to avoid wrongdoing because of the negative consequences that will follow (such as punishment or retribution) than by a true understanding of the immorality of their actions. This behavior is based on external forces (fear of punishment), rather than internal moral values or a desire to do what is right simply because it is good or virtuous.
This idea is still highly relevant today, especially in discussions about law, ethics, and moral development. Many legal systems, for instance, rely on the idea that people will refrain from committing crimes due to the fear of legal consequences, such as imprisonment or fines. However, true moral development involves internalizing values and doing what is right not because of the fear of external consequences, but because one recognizes the inherent wrongness or foulness of the act itself.
For example, an individual might follow rules in a workplace because they fear punishment (like losing their job), but the truly virtuous person will follow the rules because they understand the importance of integrity and honesty, regardless of external consequences. Aristotle’s quote encourages us to move beyond fear of punishment and towards a more internalized and genuine commitment to doing what is right. It suggests that virtue is best cultivated when people act out of a deep sense of morality rather than self-interest or fear.
