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
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques a misplaced belief in communal ownership that justifies theft.
Desiderius Erasmus reflects on a radical interpretation of communal ownership principles, highlighting how some individuals take ownership of anything unguarded, rationalizing their actions through a flawed understanding of property rights. This perspective raises questions about morality, responsibility, and the ethical implications of communal property systems as they intersect with individual behavior.
Themes
CommunismPropertyTheftMoralityEthics
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate on property rights during a philosophy class.
More from Desiderius Erasmus
All quotes →When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes.
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
Before you sleep, read something that is exquisite, and worth remembering.
Desiderius ErasmusRead
Similar quotes
People think of animals as if they were vegetables, and that is not right. We have to change the way people think about animals. I encourage the Tibetan people and all people to move toward a vegetarian diet that doesn’t cause suffering.
Dalai LamaRead
A conscious attempt to fall asleep is sure to produce insomnia, to try to be conscious of one's own digestion is a sure way to upset the stomach. Consciousness is a poison when we apply it to ourselves. Consciousness is a light directed outward. it's like the headlights on a locomotive—turn them inward and you'd have a crash.
Boris PasternakRead
Strangely, charity sometimes gets dismissed, as if it is ineffective, inappropriate or even somehow demeaning to the recipient. 'This isn't charity,' some donors take pains to claim, 'This is an investment.' Let us recognize charity for what it is at heart: a noble enterprise aimed at bettering the human condition.
Ban Ki-MoonRead
Our real journey in life is interior.
Thomas MertonRead
I have always thought that all men should be free; but if any should be slaves, it should be first those who desire for themselves, and secondly those who desire it for others. Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.
Abraham LincolnRead
I have the general philosophy of creating the future you want to see.
Peter DiamandisRead