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
both discontent luxury meanness parent wealth
Wealth and poverty: the one is the parent of luxury and indolence, and the other of meanness and viciousness, and both of discontent
plato ignorance opinion
Opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance.
men giving perfect
The good man is the only excellent musician, because he gives forth a perfect harmony not with a lyre or other instrument but with the whole of his life.
desires equally flying four living meeting perfect principle public wisdom
Perfect wisdom has four parts, viz., wisdom, the principle of doing things aright; justice, the principle of doing things equally in public and private; fortitude, the principle of not flying danger, but meeting it; and temperance, the principle of subduing desires and living moderately.
consists foundation proceed prudent true zeal
Moderation, which consists in an indifference about little things, and in a prudent and well-proportioned zeal about things of importance, can proceed from nothing but true knowledge, which has its foundation in self-acquaintance.
boxes develop difference distant equivalent fires front glowing hours light spend wisdom
Someday, in the distant future, our grandchildren's grandchildren will develop a new equivalent of our classrooms. They will spend many hours in front of boxes with fires glowing within. May they have the wisdom to know the difference between light and knowledge.
accuracy bent child direct discover force genius learn peculiar teaching train
Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.
cannot laughable opposites serious understood
Serious things cannot be understood without laughable things, or opposites at all without opposites
deem enemy tells truth worst
They deem him the worst enemy who tells them the truth
self deception self-deception
The worst of all deceptions is self-deception.
past insight
Knowledge is the rediscovering of our own insight.
wealth well-known wells
Wealth is well known to be a great comforter.
science astrology heaven
Perhaps there is a pattern set up in the heavens for one who desires to see it, and having seen it, to find one in himself.
wise wisdom mean
The god, O men, seems to me to be really wise; and by his oracle to mean this, that the wisdom of this world is foolishness and of none effect.