The entire world is my temple, and a very fine one too, if I'm not mistaken, and I'll never lack priests to serve it as long as there are men.
Desiderius ErasmusRead
He who allows oppression shares the crime.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes that complicity in oppression is itself a moral failing.
Desiderius Erasmus points out the moral responsibility of individuals when witnessing oppression. By allowing oppressive actions, one becomes an accomplice, suggesting that silence and inaction in the face of injustice are as culpable as the act of oppression itself. This serves as a call to action for individuals to stand up against injustice rather than remain passive observers.
Themes
OppressionCrimeResponsibilityJusticeAction
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech advocating for social justice.
More from Desiderius Erasmus
All quotes βWhen I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes.
Desiderius ErasmusRead
You'll see certain Pythagorean whose belief in communism of property goes to such lengths that they pick up anything lying about unguarded, and make off with it without a qualm of conscience as if it had come to them by law.
Desiderius ErasmusRead
[N]o party is any fun unless seasoned with folly.
Desiderius ErasmusRead
If you look at history you'll find that no state has been so plagued by its rulers as when power has fallen into the hands of some dabbler in philosophy or literary addict.
Desiderius ErasmusRead
Fortune favours the audacious.
Desiderius ErasmusRead
Similar quotes
By mere burial man arrives not at bliss; and in the future life, throughout its whole infinite range, they will seek for happiness as vainly as they sought it here, who seek it in aught else than that which so closely surrounds them here - the Infinite
Johann Gottlieb FichteRead
The self-despisers are less intent on their own increase than on the diminution of others. Where self-esteem is unobtainable, envy takes the place of greed.
Eric HofferRead
We should every night call ourselves to an account: What infirmity have I mastered today? What passions opposed! What temptation resisted? What virtue acquired?
Seneca The ElderRead
I am saddened by how people treat one another and how we are so shut off from one another and how we judge one another, when the truth is, we are all one connected thing. We are all from the same exact molecules.
Ellen DegeneresRead
Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God
Mother TeresaRead
You have no choice about your capacity to feel that something is good for you or evil, but what you will consider good or evil, what will give you joy or pain, what you will love or hate, desire or fear, depends on your standard of value.
Ayn RandRead