"The generality of men are naturally apt to be swayed by fear rather than reverence, and to refrain from evil rather because of the punishment that it brings than because of its own foulness"

Aristotle's quote recommends that most of people are more likely to be affected by fear than by respect, which they are most likely to avoid doing something incorrect due to the fact that of the effects instead of since of the intrinsic wrongness of the act. This suggests that people are more likely to be encouraged by external elements such as punishment or reward, instead of by their own moral compass. This might be seen as a criticism of human nature, as it suggests that individuals are most likely to act out of self-interest than out of a sense of morality. It could likewise be seen as a cautioning to those in power, as it recommends that individuals are most likely to follow laws and regulations if they are imposed with penalties, rather than if they are respected and followed out of a sense of morality.