"God hates violence. He has ordained that all men fairly possess their property, not seize it"

Euripides draws a clear moral boundary between just ownership and aggression, suggesting a divine mandate upholding fairness and peace in society. He asserts that God is fundamentally opposed to violence, framing it as an affront to both human community and divine order. Such an assertion does not merely address the act of physical harm but extends to the realm of justice and societal structure. Through the invocation of God’s will, he conveys that the moral principle of nonviolence is not just a human convention but a cosmic law, inherent in the proper functioning of the world.

Property here symbolizes more than material possessions; it represents the right of individuals to enjoy the fruits of their labor and maintain what is rightfully theirs. For Euripides, the just possession of property is tied to peace and mutual respect among people. Seizing property, therefore, is not just theft in a narrow legal sense but a violation of the social and divine order, undermining trust and harmony. He implies that covetousness and aggression toward others’ belongings breed chaos and are contrary to the will of the gods.

The focus on fairness further highlights a deep concern for justice. Euripides does not endorse accumulation for its own sake, nor does he insist on property as an absolute right without qualification; rather, he situates ownership within the broader context of fairness and respect for others’ rights. Social cohesion depends upon mutual recognition of these rights, without which the moral foundation of society crumbles. By rooting these values in divine will, he imbues them with a sense of sacredness, making injustice, particularly violent dispossession, not merely a legal violation but a profound moral wrong.

Ultimately, Euripides advocates for a principled society where violence, especially that which relates to the unjust taking of others’ property, is repudiated at both the human and the cosmic level. This vision calls for respect, peace, and justice as the cornerstones of any well-ordered community.