Written laws are like spiders' webs; they will catch, it is true, the weak and poor, but would be torn in pieces by the rich and powerful.

ἃ μηδὲν τῶν ἀραχνίων διαφέρειν, ἀλλ᾽ ὡς ἐκεῖνα τοὺς μὲν ἀσθενεῖς καὶ λεπτοὺς τῶν ἁλισκομένων καθέξειν, ὑπὸ δὲ τῶν δυνατῶν καὶ πλουσίων διαρραγήσεσθαι.

Anacharsis

Quoted in Plutarch's Lives, by Plutarch

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More information about this quote

Topic

Rich vs. poor Nature of law Law

Speaker

Anacharsis

Author

Plutarch

Source

Plutarch's Lives

Genre

Historical literature

Language

Greek

Time

6th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Occupation

Philosopher

From

Europe

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Anacharsis. Quoted in "Solon." Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans. c. 120.

Current Citation

Anacharsis. Quoted in "Solon." Greek Lives, written by Plutarch, translated by Robin Waterfield. Oxford University Press, 2009.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Anacharsis about rich vs. poor: “Written laws are like spiders' webs; they will catch, it is true, the weak…”
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A quote by Anacharsis about rich vs. poor: “Written laws are like spiders' webs; they will catch, it is true, the weak…”
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A quote by Anacharsis about rich vs. poor: “Written laws are like spiders' webs; they will catch, it is true, the weak…”
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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote by Plutarch

The mind is not a vessel that needs filling, but wood that needs igniting.

Plutarch

Moralia

More information about this quote
Topic
The mind Education Learning

Author

Plutarch
Source
Of Listening Moralia
Medium
Essay
Statement Type
Metaphor, analogy and simile
Language
Greek
Time
2nd century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Plutarch. "Περὶ τοῦ ἀκούειν [On Hearing]." Ἠθικά Ethika [Moralia]. c. 100 AD.

Current Citation

Plutarch. "On Listening." Essays. Penguin Classics, 1993.

Another quote about Law

The law may... Depend on what the judge has had for breakfast.

Robert M. Hutchins

More information about this quote
Topic
Nature of law Law

Author

Robert M. Hutchins
Language
English
Time
1933 1930s 20th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Hutchins, Robert M. "The Autobiography of an Ex-Law Student." The University of Chicago Law Review, Mar. 1934. Originally a speech at The Association of American Law Schools meeting. Dec. 1933, Chicago, IL, USA.

Another quote from the 6th century BC

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Ahiqar

More information about this quote
Topic
Minimizing risk Risk

Author

Ahiqar
Source
Proverbs of Ahiqar
Genre
Wisdom literature
Language
Assyrian
Time
500 BC 500s BC 6th century BC
Authentication Score 1
Original Citation

Ahiqar. The Story of Ahikar. c. 500 BC.

Current Citation

Ahiqar. The Story of Ahikar, translated by Herbert Lindenberger. The John Hopkins Near Eastern Studies, 1983.

Another quote from Classical antiquity

No guest is so welcome in a friend's house that he will not become a nuisance after three days.

Plautus

More information about this quote
Topic
Wearing out one's welcome Hospitality Guests and visitors
Speaker
Pleusicles

Author

Plautus
Source
Miles Gloriosus
Medium
Play
Language
Latin
Time
200 BC 200s BC 3rd century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Plautus. Miles Gloriosus. c. 206 BC, Rome, Italy, act 3, sc. 1.

Current Citation

Plautus. Miles Gloriosus, edited by Mason Hammond, Arthur W. Mack, and Walter Moskalew. Harvard University Press, 1997, act 3, sc. 1.

Another quote originally in Greek

One more such victory over the Romans and we are lost.

Pyrrhus

Quoted in Plutarch's Lives, by Plutarch

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More information about this quote
Topic
Pyrrhic victory Victory
Speaker
Pyrrhus

Author

Plutarch
Source
Plutarch's Lives
Genre
Biography
Statement Type
Paradox Prophecies and predictions
Language
Greek
Time
279 BC 270s BC 3rd century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Pyrrhus. Quoted in "Pyrrhus." Parallel Lives by Plutarch. c. 2nd century BC, ch. 21, sect. 9.

Current Citation

Pyrrhus. Quoted in "Pyrrhus." Parallel Lives by Plutarch. Oxford University Press, 2009, ch. 21, sect. 9.