Theophrastus,
in his comparison of bad acts- such a comparison as one would make in
accordance with the common notions of mankind- says, like a true
philosopher, that the offences which are committed through desire are
more blameable than those which are committed through anger. For he
who is excited by anger seems to turn away from reason with a certain
pain and unconscious contraction; but he who offends through desire,
being overpowered by pleasure, seems to be in a manner more
intemperate and more womanish in his offences. Rightly then, and in a
way worthy of philosophy, he said that the offence which is committed
with pleasure is more blameable than that which is committed with
pain; and on the whole the one is more like a person who has been
first wronged and through pain is compelled to be angry; but the
other is moved by his own impulse to do wrong, being carried towards
doing something by desire.
(podcast episode) (original Greek)
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