Socrates
Socrates
Socrates was a classical Greekphilosopher credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy. He is an enigmatic figure known chiefly through the accounts of classical writers, especially the writings of his students Plato and Xenophon and the plays of his contemporary Aristophanes. Plato's dialogues are among the most comprehensive accounts of Socrates to survive from antiquity, though it is unclear the degree to which Socrates himself is "hidden behind his 'best disciple', Plato"...
NationalityGreek
ProfessionPhilosopher
wise men self
May I consider the wise man rich, and may I have such wealth as only the self-restrained man can bear or endure.
knowledge thinking swans
You think that upon the score of fore-knowledge and divining I am infinitely inferior to the swans. When they perceive approaching death they sing more merrily than before, because of the joy they have in going to the God they serve.
ignorance evil said
He said that there was one only good, namely, knowledge; and one only evil, namely, ignorance.
thinking wonder
All thinking begins with wondering
needs mass
Often when looking at a mass of things for sale, he would say to himself, 'How many things I have no need of!'
vanity rags
Through your rags I see your vanity.
inspiration understanding talent
I soon realized that poets do not compose their poems with knowledge, but by some inborn talent and by inspiration, like seers and prophets who also say many fine things without any understanding of what they say.
believe looks active
We shall be better, braver, and more active if we believe it right to look for what we don't know.
suffering injustice commit
It is better to suffer an injustice than to commit one
dilemma knows
You don't know what you don't know.
order may profanity
Talk in order that I may see you.
teacher luxury people
Young people nowadays love luxury; they have bad manners and contempt for authority. They show disrespect for old people... contradict their parents, talk constantly in front of company, gobble their food and tyrannize their teachers.
real danger-in-life evil
The real danger in life is not death, but living an evil life.
life success wise
Whom do I call educated? First, those who manage well the circumstances they encounter day by day. Next, those who are decent and honorable in their intercourse with all men, bearing easily and good naturedly what is offensive in others and being as agreeable and reasonable to their associates as is humanly possible to be... those who hold their pleasures always under control and are not ultimately overcome by their misfortunes... those who are not spoiled by their successes, who do not desert their true selves but hold their ground steadfastly as wise and sober - minded men.