There is... Only a single categorical imperative and it is this: Act only on that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.

Der kategorische Imperativ ist also nur ein einziger und zwar dieser: handle mnur nach derjenigen Maxime, durch die du zugleich wollen kannst, dab sie ein allgemeines Gesetz werde.

Immanuel Kant

The Metaphysics of Morals

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More information about this quote

Topic

How to behave Moral theory

Author

Immanuel Kant

Source

The Metaphysics of Morals

Genre

Philosophical literature

Statement Type

Precepts and axioms Advice

Language

German

Time

1785 1780s 18th century

Occupation

Philosopher Writer

From

Russia Europe

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Kant, Immanuel. Grundlegung zur Metaphysik der Sitten [Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals]. Riga: J. F. Hartknoch, 1785.

Current Citation

Kant, Immanuel. Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, translated by Mary Gregor and Jes Timmermann. Cambridge University Press, 2012.

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Another quote from the 1780s

Hatred, as well as love, renders its votaries credulous.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Confessions (Rousseau)

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More information about this quote
Topic
Credulity

Author

Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Source
Confessions (Rousseau)
Genre
Autobiography and memoir
Language
French
Time
1781 1780s 18th century
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. Les Confessions [The Confessions]. Aux Deux-Ponts: Chez Sanson Et Compagnie, 1782, bk. 5.

Current Citation

Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. Confessions, translated by Angela Scholar. Oxford University Press, 2008, pt. 1, bk. 5.

Another quote about Moral theory

The end must justify the means.

Matthew Prior

Hans Carvel

More information about this quote
Topic
Moral theory Justifications and rationales

Author

Matthew Prior
Source
Hans Carvel
Medium
Poem
Statement Type
Precepts and axioms
Language
English
Time
1700 1700s 17th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Prior, Matthew. Hans Carvel. c. 1700.

Another quote originally in German

The public seldom forgive twice.

Johann Kasper Lavater

More information about this quote
Topic
Public opinion Second chances

Author

Johann Kasper Lavater
Language
German
Time
1773 1770s 18th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Lavater, Johann Caspar. Aphorisms of Man. London: J. Johnson, 1788, no. 606.

Current Citation

Lavater, Johann Caspar. "Annotations to Lavater's Aphorisms on Man." The Complete Poetry and Prose of William Blake, edited by David Erdman. University of California Press, 2008.

Another quote of the following type Advice

You should hammer your iron when it is glowing hot.

Publilius Syrus

Sententiae

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More information about this quote
Topic
Opportune time Timing Opportunities

Author

Publilius Syrus
Source
Sententiae
Medium
Epigram
Statement Type
Metaphor, analogy and simile Advice
Language
Latin
Time
43 BC 40s BC 1st century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Publilius Syrus. Sententiae. c. 1st century BC.