In all men is evil sleeping; the good man is he who will not awaken it, in himself or in other men

In all men is evil sleeping; the good man is he who will not awaken it, in himself or in other men

Mary Renault was a British author known for her historical novels set in ancient Greece. Her works often explored themes of morality, ethics, and the complexities of human nature. One of the recurring themes in Renault's writing is the idea that all men have the capacity for evil within them, but it is the truly good man who is able to resist the temptation to awaken that evil.

Renault's characters often grapple with their own inner demons and struggle to navigate the moral dilemmas they face. In her novel "The Last of the Wine," the protagonist, Alexias, is torn between his loyalty to his friend, Lysis, and his duty to his city during the Peloponnesian War. As he navigates the treacherous political landscape of ancient Athens, Alexias must confront his own capacity for cruelty and betrayal.