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
thinking class ideas
... our purpose in founding our state was not to promote the happiness of a single class, but, so far as possible, of the whole community. Our idea was that we were most likely to justice in such a community, and so be able to decide the question we are trying to answer. We are therefore at the moment trying to construct what we think is a happy community by securing the happiness not of a select minority, but of a whole.
important quests courageous
To begin is the most important part of any quest and by far the most courageous.
life mean way
Let him know how to choose the mean and avoid the extremes on either side, as far as possible. . . . For this is the way of happiness.
distance conditions
Just as things in a picture, when viewed from a distance, appear to be all in one and the same condition and alike.
greatness opposites discipline
.. we shall not be properly educated ourselves, nor will the guardians whom we are training, until we can recognise the qualities of discipline, courage, generosity, greatness of mind, and others akin to them, as well as their opposites in all their manifestations.
political wish citizens
That politician who curries favor with the citizens and indulges them and fawns upon them and has a presentiment of their wishes, and is skillful in gratifying them, he is esteemed a great statesman.
plato enemy use
To the rulers of the state then, if to any, it belongs of right to use falsehood, to deceive either enemies or their own citizens, for the good of the state: and no one else may meddle with this privilege.
character men political
... Societies aren t made of sticks and stones, but of men whose individual characters, by turning the scale one way or another, determine the direction of the whole.
political being-positive may
... what we can be positive about is what we have just said, namely that they must be given the right education, whatever that may be, as the surest way to make them behave humanely to each other and the subjects in their charge.
art philosophy history
God is a geometrician.
philosophical ignorance evil
Entire ignorance is not so terrible or extreme an evil, and is far from being the greatest of all.
sports commitment land
Apply yourself both now and in the next life. Without effort, you cannot be prosperous. Though the land be good, you cannot have an abundant crop without cultivation.
angel wings heavy
The function of the wing is to take what is heavy and raise it up in the region above.
philosophical law understanding
No law or ordinance is mightier than understanding.