The State practices "violence," the individual must not do so. The state's behavior is violence, and it calls its violence "law"; that of the individual, "crime".
Max StirnerRead
Many a man renounces morals, but with great difficulty the conception, 'morality.' Morality is the 'idea' of morals, their intellectual power, their power over the conscience; on the other hand, morals are too material to rule the mind, and do not fetter an 'intellectual' man, a so-called independent, a 'freethinker.'
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote discusses the distinction between morality as an abstract concept and morals as practical principles, emphasizing the challenge of renouncing moral ideas.
Max Stirner explores the complexity of morality and morals, suggesting that while individuals may abandon moral principles in practice, the concept of morality itself remains a powerful influence on the conscience. He argues that true intellectual independence leads one to acknowledge that while morals can be abandoned, the idea of morality itself cannot be easily disregarded, highlighting a clash between material ethics and intellectual freedom.
Themes
MoralityMoralsConscienceIntellectualismFreethinker
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about ethical behavior, this quote can illustrate the difference between abstract moral principles and practical morals.
More from Max Stirner
All quotes →The State calls its own violence, law; but that of the individual, crime.
Max StirnerRead
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