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
hope-for-the-future ifs lanterns
If we are to have any hope for the future, those who have lanterns must pass them on to others.
wise kindness men
If a man says that it is right to give every one his due, and therefore thinks within his own mind that injury is due from a just man to his enemies but kindness to his friends, he was not wise who said so, for he spoke not the truth, for in no case has it appeared to be just to injure any one.
people would-be body
Just as it would be madness to settle on medical treatment for the body of a person by taking an opinion poll of the neighbors, so it is irrational to prescribe for the body politic by polling the opinions of the people at large.
heart degrees doe
Let him take heart who does advance, even in the smallest degree.
beautiful wise ignorance
Neither do the ignorant love wisdom or desire to become wise; for this is the grievous thing about ignorance, that those who are neither good nor beautiful think they are good enough, and do not desire that which they do not think they are lacking.
ignorance roots causes
Ignorance is the root cause of all difficulties.
children men drunk
Not only is the old man twice a child, but also the man who is drunk.
heart wine
Wine fills the heart with courage.
order effort path-of-love
He who has followed the path of love's initiation in the proper order will on arriving at the end suddenly perceive a marvelous beauty, the source of all our efforts
encouraging running perseverance
Is it not true that the clever rogue is like the runner who runs well for the first half of the course, but flags before reaching the goal: he is quick off the mark, but ends in disgrace and slinks away crestfallen and uncrowned. The crown is the prize of the really good runner who perseveres to the end.
doors geometry destitute
Let no one destitute of geometry enter my doors.
men mad age
How well I remember the aged poet Sophocles, when in answer to the question, "How does love suit with age, Sophocles - are you still the man you were?" he replied, "Peace, most gladly have I escaped the thing of which you speak; I feel as if I had escaped from a mad and furious master."
feel-good feels ifs
You can't do good if you don't feel good.
knowing soul remembered
Anything worth knowing is already known and must be remembered and reclaimed by the soul.