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
character soul alphabet
The alphabet will create forgetfulness in the learners' souls. They will trust the written characters and not remember themselves.
memories writing character
The invention of writing will produce forgetfulness in the minds of those who learn to use it, because they will not practice their memory. Their trust in writing, produced by external characters which are no part of themselves, will discourage the use of their own memory within them. You have invented an elixir not of memory, but of reminding; and you offer your pupils the appearance of wisdom, not true wisdom.
character
What most counts is not merely to live, but to live right.
honesty integrity character
It is never right to do wrong or to requite wrong with wrong, or when we suffer evil to defend ourselves by doing evil in return.
life memorial-day character
The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.
evil good
There is only one good -- knowledge; and only one evil -- ignorance.
evil ignorance
There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance
becomes equal equality man superior woman
Woman once made equal to man becomes his superior
eyes given hear listening nature
Nature has given us two ears, two eyes, and but one tongue-to the end that we should hear and see more than we speak.
knowledge
One thing only I know, and that is that I know nothing.
smart stupid average
Smart people learn from everything and everyone, Average people from their experiences, Stupid people already have all the answers.
adversity avoid depression elation human remember stable therefore
Remember that there is nothing stable in human affairs; therefore avoid undue elation in prosperity, or undue depression in adversity.
affections deeds kindness life thine thy words
Such as thy words are, such will thine affections be esteemed; and such as thine affections, will be thy deeds; and such as thy deeds will be thy life
beauty inward man outward
Give me beauty in the inward soul; may the outward and the inward man be at one.