Those Who Surpass Fellow Citizens-Daily Meditation 12.19.22

Today’s quotation:

Those who surpass their fellow citizens in virtue are no longer a part of the city.  The city’s law is not for them since they are a law to themselves.-Aristotle

Today’s Meditation:

I believe that some of us have reached this point in our lives where the laws of our society are no longer necessary for us.  After all, if we no longer have any urge whatsoever to do anything harmful to our fellow citizens, then laws become irrelevant.  Laws are made for the protection of the people of a society, and if we pose no threat at all, then what point of laws?

I’ve always been amazed at the number of people who are nervous around police officers.  I’ve never been nervous, for I have nothing to worry about.  Police officers are there to enforce laws that are broken. And since I’m not breaking any laws, I don’t feel at all intimidated by their presence.  And since the city’s laws are in place to regulate the city, once we are no longer in a place where laws affect us, we are no longer a part of the city except in paying taxes and fees.

Of course, Aristotle wrote these words before the advent of the automobile, which led to many traffic laws that are easier to break–even inadvertently–than laws that protect our fellow citizens from harm.  He wrote this before we were taxed on almost everything we own and before we became subject to literally thousands of laws ranging from noise regulations to the copying of music in our own homes.

But his basic message remains intact–adopting a life of virtue gives us freedom, a freedom that we can love and appreciate.  Our lives become more prosperous and whole when our virtue keeps us from worrying.  I never worry about the police coming to my home to conduct a raid, for I don’t feel a need or desire to break any major laws, so those who enforce and make the laws do not influence me.  My actions are guided by my desire to lead a good life, not by my fear of retribution if I break the law.

Questions to consider:

How would you define a “life of virtue”?

What kinds of laws–if any–do you break regularly?  What kinds of penalties do you face?

Are there any unfair laws that keep you from being or expressing yourself?  What might you do about those laws?

For further thought:

When people are pure, laws are useless; when people are corrupt, laws are broken.-Benjamin Disraeli

If you missed Friday’s Daily Meditation, you can go here to read it.