For Christians above all men are forbidden to correct the stumblings of sinners by force...it is necessary to make a man better not by force but by persuasion. We neither have authority granted us by law to restrain sinners, nor, if it were, should we know how to use it, since God gives the crown to those who are kept from evil, not by force, but by choice.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Force cannot create genuine moral change; only free choice and persuasion can lead to true virtue.
- In plain terms
- You cannot force someone to be good; they must choose it themselves.
- What can you take from it?
- Persuasion is better than force for moral improvement.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is force justified?
- How do you influence others?
Another view
Some situations require immediate intervention to prevent harm.
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Is it not excessively ridiculous to seek the good opinion of those whom you would never wish to be like?
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