Plato was a foundational philosopher whose ideas have shaped Western thought for over two millennia. His teachings explore truth, justice, knowledge, and the nature of the human soul, offering guidance on both personal and societal growth. The following quotes capture Plato’s enduring wisdom and his profound reflections on life, virtue, and the pursuit of understanding.
Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.
For this feeling of wonder shows that you are a philosopher, since wonder is the only beginning of philosophy.
From Theaetetus
Knowledge becomes evil if the aim be not virtuous.
The greatest wealth is to live content with little.
How could they see anything but the shadows if they were never allowed to move their heads?
From The Allegory of the Cave
In practice people who study philosophy too long become very odd birds, not to say thoroughly vicious; while even those who are the best of them are reduced by...[philosophy] to complete uselessness as members of society.
From Republic
Socrates: This man, on one hand, believes that he knows something, while not knowing [anything]. On the other hand, I – equally ignorant – do not believe [that I know anything].
From Apology
Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.
We are twice armed if we fight with faith.
Education is teaching our children to desire the right things.
One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.
Philosophy is the highest music.
The philosopher whose dealings are with divine order himself acquires the characteristics of order and divinity.
From The Republic
....I am inclined to think that these muscles and bones of mine would have gone off long ago to Megara or Boeotia—by the dog they would, if they had been moved only by their own idea of what was best.
(tr Jowett)
From Phaedo
The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily. This is the man of moderation, the man of manly character and of wisdom.
Love is a serious mental disease.
Ideas are the source of all things
Piety, then, is that which is dear to the gods, and impiety is that which is not dear to them.
From Euthyphro. Apology. Crito. Phaedo. Phaedrus.
Man - a being in search of meaning.
Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow.
The first and best victory is to conquer self
He was a wise man who invented God.
The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.
In politics we presume that everyone who knows how to get votes knows how to administer a city or a state. When we are ill... we do not ask for the handsomest physician, or the most eloquent one.
Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.
For this feeling of wonder shows that you are a philosopher, since wonder is the only beginning of philosophy.
From Theaetetus
Knowledge becomes evil if the aim be not virtuous.
The greatest wealth is to live content with little.
How could they see anything but the shadows if they were never allowed to move their heads?
From The Allegory of the Cave
In practice people who study philosophy too long become very odd birds, not to say thoroughly vicious; while even those who are the best of them are reduced by...[philosophy] to complete uselessness as members of society.
From Republic
Socrates: This man, on one hand, believes that he knows something, while not knowing [anything]. On the other hand, I – equally ignorant – do not believe [that I know anything].
From Apology
Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.
We are twice armed if we fight with faith.
Education is teaching our children to desire the right things.
One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.
Philosophy is the highest music.
The philosopher whose dealings are with divine order himself acquires the characteristics of order and divinity.
From The Republic
....I am inclined to think that these muscles and bones of mine would have gone off long ago to Megara or Boeotia—by the dog they would, if they had been moved only by their own idea of what was best.
(tr Jowett)
From Phaedo
The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily. This is the man of moderation, the man of manly character and of wisdom.
Love is a serious mental disease.
Ideas are the source of all things
Piety, then, is that which is dear to the gods, and impiety is that which is not dear to them.
From Euthyphro. Apology. Crito. Phaedo. Phaedrus.
Man - a being in search of meaning.
Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow.
The first and best victory is to conquer self
He was a wise man who invented God.
The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.
In politics we presume that everyone who knows how to get votes knows how to administer a city or a state. When we are ill... we do not ask for the handsomest physician, or the most eloquent one.
Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.
For this feeling of wonder shows that you are a philosopher, since wonder is the only beginning of philosophy.
From Theaetetus
Knowledge becomes evil if the aim be not virtuous.
The greatest wealth is to live content with little.
How could they see anything but the shadows if they were never allowed to move their heads?
From The Allegory of the Cave
In practice people who study philosophy too long become very odd birds, not to say thoroughly vicious; while even those who are the best of them are reduced by...[philosophy] to complete uselessness as members of society.
From Republic
Socrates: This man, on one hand, believes that he knows something, while not knowing [anything]. On the other hand, I – equally ignorant – do not believe [that I know anything].
From Apology
Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.
We are twice armed if we fight with faith.
Education is teaching our children to desire the right things.
One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.
Philosophy is the highest music.
The philosopher whose dealings are with divine order himself acquires the characteristics of order and divinity.
From The Republic
....I am inclined to think that these muscles and bones of mine would have gone off long ago to Megara or Boeotia—by the dog they would, if they had been moved only by their own idea of what was best.
(tr Jowett)
From Phaedo
The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily. This is the man of moderation, the man of manly character and of wisdom.
Love is a serious mental disease.
Ideas are the source of all things
Piety, then, is that which is dear to the gods, and impiety is that which is not dear to them.
From Euthyphro. Apology. Crito. Phaedo. Phaedrus.
Man - a being in search of meaning.
Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow.
The first and best victory is to conquer self
He was a wise man who invented God.
The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.
In politics we presume that everyone who knows how to get votes knows how to administer a city or a state. When we are ill... we do not ask for the handsomest physician, or the most eloquent one.
