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
death men worst
Death is not the worst that can happen to men.
death men blessing
No one knows whether death is really the greatest blessing a man can have, but they fear it is the greatest curse, as if they knew well.
plato immortality after-death
I have good hope that there is something after death.
death men excellence
Such, Echecrates, was the end of our comrade, who was, we may fairly say, of all those whom we knew in our time, the bravest and also the wisest and most upright man.
death real knowing
The fear of death is indeed the pretence of wisdom, and not real wisdom, being the appearance of knowing the unknown.
death men hours
I am about to die, and that is the hour in which men are gifted with prophetic power.
death children men
We understand why children are afraid of darkness ... but why are men afraid of light?
life-and-death greek departure
I to die, and you to live. Which is better God only knows.
death night men
Either death is a state of nothingness and utter consciousness, or, as men say, there is a change and migration of the soul from this world to another. Now if death be of such a nature, I say that to die is to gain; for eternity is then only a single night.
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.
carries exchange full luck range thou time
Time carries off all things; wouldst thou exchange - Name, looks, nature, luck? Just give time full range
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.
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.