An idea from Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals

Say you’re broke and tempted to promise to repay a loan you know you can’t repay. Ask yourself: “Canst thou also will that thy maxim should be a universal law?” If everyone lied this way when in trouble, no one would believe a promise. Your own promise would stop working.

From Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals by Immanuel Kant

Enjoy The Road is a library of ideas from books that lasted, in plain words. A new one every day, free to read.


The Sunday email

One email each Sunday morning: the week’s seven ideas, a question to think about, and a link to a story to read to a child.

Get the Sunday email