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
love military ocean
They are wrong who think that politics is like an ocean voyage or a military campaign, something to be done with some particular end in view, something which leaves off as soon as that end is reached. It is not a public chore, to be got over with. It is a way of life. It is the life of a domesticated political and social creature who is born with a love for public life, with a desire for honor, with a feeling for his fellows; and it lasts as long as need be.
life nature shoes
We ought not to treat living creatures like shoes or household belongings, which when worn with use we throw away.
pain cures
I see the cure is not worth the pain.
greek shields empires
Come back with your shield - or on it
wise men opinion
For to err in opinion, though it be not the part of wise men, is at least human.
may
That we may consult concerning others, and not others concerning us.
medicine today using-me
Instead of using medicine, better fast today.
men people ruins
The man who first brought ruin upon the Roman people was he who pampered them by largesses and amusements.
kings inspiration water
And Archimedes, as he was washing, thought of a manner of computing the proportion of gold in King Hiero's crown by seeing the water flowing over the bathing-stool. He leaped up as one possessed or inspired, crying, "I have found it! Eureka!".
time numbers long
It is no great wonder if in long process of time, while fortune takes her course hither and thither, numerous coincidences should spontaneously occur. If the number and variety of subjects to be wrought upon be infinite, it is all the more easy for fortune, with such an abundance of material, to effect this similarity of results.
believe moving moon
This excerpt is presented as reproduced by Copernicus in the preface to De Revolutionibus: "Some think that the earth remains at rest. But Philolaus the Pythagorean believes that, like the sun and moon, it revolves around the fire in an oblique circle. Heraclides of Pontus and Ecphantus the Pythagorean make the earth move, not in a progressive motion, but like a wheel in rotation from west to east around its own center."
soul looks noble
Prosperity has this property; it puffs up narrow souls, makes them imagine themselves high and mighty, and leads them to look down upon the world with contempt; but a truly noble spirit appears greatest in distress;
inspiration important oratory
When Demosthenes was asked what were the three most important aspects of oratory, he answered, 'Action, Action, Action.'
fairs candle
When the candles are out all women are fair.