Plato
Plato
Platowas a philosopher in Classical Greece and the founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. He is widely considered the most pivotal figure in the development of philosophy, especially the Western tradition. Unlike nearly all of his philosophical contemporaries, Plato's entire œuvre is believed to have survived intact for over 2,400 years...
NationalityGreek
ProfessionPhilosopher
learning thinking mind
Thinking and spoken discourse are the same thing, except that what we call thinking is, precisely, the inward dialogue carried on by the mind with itself without spoken sound.
fasting efficiency greater
I fast for greater physical and mental efficiency
half wells
As the proverb says, "a good beginning is half the business" and "to have begun well" is praised by all.
lines states built
I take it that our state, having been founded and built up on the right lines, is good in the complete sense of the word.
deities purpose miserable
The deity on purpose [sings] the liveliest of all lyrics through the most miserable poet.
integrity men hearing
There is nothing so delightful as the hearing, or the speaking of truth. For this reason, there is no conversation so agreeable as that of the man of integrity, who hears without any intention to betray, and speaks without any intention to deceive.
half whole
The beginning is half of the whole.
jokes
...the Gods too love a joke.
convince-us justice soul
SOCRATES: Perhaps we may be wrong; if so, you in your wisdom should convince us that we are mistaken in preferring justice to injustice. THRASYMACHUS: And how am I to convince you, he said, if you are not already convinced by what I have just said; what more can I do for you? Would you have me put the proof bodily into your souls?
drinking wine lovers
And what do you say of lovers of wine... they are glad of any pretext of drinking any wine
divine-order divinity philosopher
The philosopher whose dealings are with divine order himself acquires the characteristics of order and divinity.
torches
Those having torches will pass them on to others.
democracy doe idlers
Democracy does not contain any force which will check the constant tendency to put more and more on the public payroll. The state is like a hive of bees in which the drones display, multiply and starve the workers so the idlers will consume the food and the workers will perish.
flutes moral instruments
The flute is not an instrument that has a good moral effect - it is too exciting.