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Single Idea 497

[from 'reports' by Democritus (attrib), in 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / c. Motivation for virtue ]

Full Idea

Refrain from crimes not through fear but through duty [deon].

Gist of Idea

Be virtuous from duty, not from fear

Source

Democritus (attrib) (reports [c.250 BCE], B041), quoted by John Stobaeus - Anthology 3.01.95

Book Reference

'Ancilla to the Pre-Socratic Philosophers', ed/tr. Freeman,Kathleen [Harvard 1957], p.99


A Reaction

[not sure about the translation here]

Related Ideas

Idea 9260 Virtues won't generate an obligation, so it isn't a basis for morality [Prichard]

Idea 4113 'Deon' in Greek means what one must do; there was no word meaning 'duty' [Williams,B]