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Writer's pictureTalis

Antiphon the Athenian

For the decrees of the laws are extra additions, those of nature are necessary; those of laws are product of agreement , not of natural growth, whereas those of nature are the product of natural growth, not of agreement. If those who made the agreement do not notice a person transgressing the prescriptions of laws, he is free from both disgrace and penalty, but not so if they notice him. But if, contrary to possibility, anyone violates any of the things that are innate by nature, the evil is no less if no one notices him and no greater if all observe. For he does not suffer harm as a result of opinion, but as a result of truth. The entire purpose of considering these matters – that most of the things are just according to law are established in a way which is hostile to nature. As for useful things, those of them that are established as useful by laws are fetters for human nature, the same ones that are determined by nature bring man freedom ... In actions contrary to nature is the reason that people suffer more when they could suffer less and experience less pleasure when they could enjoy more, and feel unhappy when they could not be.

Oxyrh. Pap. XI n. 1364

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