“In law a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others In ethics he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so”

Simplified Meaning:

In law, you are considered to have done something wrong only when you actually break the rules or harm someone. For example, if you steal something, the law says you are guilty once you take it. But in terms of ethics, which are like personal moral rules, even just thinking about doing something wrong counts as being guilty. Imagine you think about lying to a friend to get out of trouble. Ethically, you would feel guilty because you’re entertaining the idea of doing something hurtful, even if you don’t actually lie. Applying this to everyday life, you can aim to not just follow laws but also live by your own sense of right and wrong. This means striving to have good intentions and treating others with respect and kindness, even in your thoughts. This way, you build a more responsible and caring character, always considering the impact of your thoughts and actions on others.