Plato
Plato
Platowas a philosopher in Classical Greece and the founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. He is widely considered the most pivotal figure in the development of philosophy, especially the Western tradition. Unlike nearly all of his philosophical contemporaries, Plato's entire œuvre is believed to have survived intact for over 2,400 years...
NationalityGreek
ProfessionPhilosopher
becoming great intend love neither nor themselves whether
Those who intend on becoming great should love neither themselves nor their own things, but only what is just, whether it happens to be done by themselves or others.
stem
Ignorance, the root and stem of all evil.
appears
This and no other is the root from which a tyrant springs; when he first appears he is a protector.
alone science wisdom
Wisdom alone is the science of other sciences.
assume gives therefore
To be sure I must; and therefore I may assume that your silence gives consent.
history nearer poetry truth vital
Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history.
charming equality equals form full government sort variety
Democracy... is a charming form of government, full of variety and disorder; and dispensing a sort of equality to equals and unequals alike.
A state arises, as I conceive, out of the needs of mankind; no one is self-sufficing, but all of us have many wants.
honesty less profitable
Honesty is for the most part less profitable than dishonesty.
death men worst
Death is not the worst that can happen to men.
cunning knowledge ought rather wisdom
Knowledge without justice ought to be called cunning rather than wisdom.
man
Man - a being in search of meaning.
conquest enemies fear foreign order people require stirring tyrant war
When the tyrant has disposed of foreign enemies by conquest or treaty, and there is nothing more to fear from them, then he is always stirring up some war or other, in order that the people may require a leader.
believe ill men
When men speak ill of thee, live so as nobody may believe them.