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Full Idea
It can be right, in certain circumstances, to steal, to break a solemn promise, to rob temples, and even (as Orestes did) to murder one's nearest and dearest.
Gist of Idea
Every apparent crime can be right in certain circumstances
Source
report of Anon (Diss) (Dissoi Logoi - on Double Arguments [c.401 BCE], §3) by PG - Db (ideas)
Book Ref
'The First Philosophers', ed/tr. Waterfield,Robin [OUP 2000], p.292
A Reaction
Not sure about the last one! I suppose you can justify any hideousness if the fate of the universe depends on it. It must be better to die than the perform certain extreme deeds.
| 1559 | Thracians think tattooing adds to a girl's beauty, but elsewhere it is a punishment [Anon (Diss)] |
| 1561 | Anything can be acceptable in some circumstances and unacceptable in others [Anon (Diss)] |
| 1560 | Lydians prostitute their daughters to raise a dowery, but no Greek would marry such a girl [Anon (Diss)] |
| 1563 | Every apparent crime can be right in certain circumstances [Anon (Diss), by PG] |
| 1562 | It is right to lie to someone, to get them to take medicine they are reluctant to take [Anon (Diss)] |
| 1564 | True and false statements can use exactly the same words [Anon (Diss)] |
| 1565 | We learn language, and we don't know who teaches us it [Anon (Diss)] |
| 1566 | The first priority in elections is to vote for people who support democracy [Anon (Diss)] |
| 1567 | How could someone who knows everything fail to act correctly? [Anon (Diss)] |