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
appear experience honor human increase practice reality shortest strengthen surest themselves virtues
The shortest and surest way to live with honor in the world is to be in reality what we would appear to be; all human virtues increase and strengthen themselves by the practice and experience of them.
greatness reality keys
The first key to greatness is to be in reality what we appear to be.
art eye reality
In order that the mind should see light instead of darkness, so the entire soul must be turned away from this changing world, until its eye can learn to contemplate reality and that supreme splendor which we have called the good. Hence there may well be an art whose aim would be to effect this very thing.
honesty reality practice
The shortest and surest way to live with honor in the world, is to be in reality what we would appear to be, all human virtues increase and strengthen themselves by the practice and experience of them.
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.
bare compliments giving sensible
Get not your friends by bare compliments, but by giving them sensible tokens of your love.