Plutarch
Plutarch
Plutarch; c. AD 46 – AD 120) was a Greek historian, biographer, and essayist, known primarily for his Parallel Lives and Moralia. He is classified as a Middle Platonist. Plutarch's surviving works were written in Greek, but intended for both Greek and Roman readers...
NationalityGreek
ProfessionPhilosopher
reflection men thinking
Ought a man to be confident that he deserves his good fortune, and think much of himself when he has overcome a nation, or city, or empire; or does fortune give this as an example to the victor also of the uncertainty of human affairs, which never continue in one stay? For what time can there be for us mortals to feel confident, when our victories over others especially compel us to dread fortune, and while we are exulting, the reflection that the fatal day comes now to one, now to another, in regular succession, dashes our joy.
work giving ease
Ease and speed in doing a thing do not give the work lasting solidity or exactness of beauty.
integrity men noble-man
It is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds, though he risk everything.
dolphins philosopher granted
...To the Dolphin alone, beyond all other, nature has granted what the best philosophers seek: friendship for no advantage
god heart cheerful
The worship most acceptable to God comes from a thankful and cheerful heart.
animal light vegetarianism
But for the sake of some little mouthful of flesh we deprive a soul of the sun and light, and of that proportion of life and time it had been born into the world to enjoy.
happiness happy speak-less
Do not speak of your happiness to one less fortunate than yourself.
education practice blind
Nature without learning is blind, learning apart from nature is fractional, and practice in the absence of both is aimless.
shadow action said
Democritus said, words are but the shadows of actions.
inspiration egypt other-worlds
To the Greeks, the supreme function of music was to "praise the gods and educate the youth". In Egypt... Initiatory music was heard only in Temple rites because it carried the vibratory rhythms of other worlds and of a life beyond the mortal.
music medicine disease
Medicine to produce health must examine disease; and music, to create harmony must investigate discord.
art painting silent
Painting is silent poetry.
technology thinking mind
For the mind does not require filling like a bottle, but rather, like wood, it only requires kindling to create in it an impulse to think independently and an ardent desire for the truth.
men doe injustice
Both Empedocles and Heraclitus held it for a truth that man could not be altogether cleared from injustice in dealing with beasts as he now does.