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
cannot laughable opposites serious understood
Serious things cannot be understood without laughable things, or opposites at all without opposites
deem enemy tells truth worst
They deem him the worst enemy who tells them the truth
accuracy bent child direct discover force genius learn peculiar teaching train
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.
leadership power seek worthy
Those who seek power are not worthy of that power.
boxes develop difference distant equivalent fires front glowing hours light spend wisdom
Someday, in the distant future, our grandchildren's grandchildren will develop a new equivalent of our classrooms. They will spend many hours in front of boxes with fires glowing within. May they have the wisdom to know the difference between light and knowledge.
consists foundation proceed prudent true zeal
Moderation, which consists in an indifference about little things, and in a prudent and well-proportioned zeal about things of importance, can proceed from nothing but true knowledge, which has its foundation in self-acquaintance.
desires equally flying four living meeting perfect principle public wisdom
Perfect wisdom has four parts, viz., wisdom, the principle of doing things aright; justice, the principle of doing things equally in public and private; fortitude, the principle of not flying danger, but meeting it; and temperance, the principle of subduing desires and living moderately.
income less pay unjust
When there is an income tax, the just will pay more and the unjust less
plato ignorance opinion
Opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance.
men giving perfect
The good man is the only excellent musician, because he gives forth a perfect harmony not with a lyre or other instrument but with the whole of his life.
among born found hundred man men might thousand
A hero is born among a hundred, a wise man is found among a thousand, but an accomplished one might not be found even among a hundred thousand men.
death fear good greatest knows people whether
Know one knows whether death, which people fear to be the greatest evil, may not be the greatest good.
determine direction education future life man starts
The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future in life.
discover hour relationship
You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.