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
impossible wealthy
To be at once exceedingly wealthy and good is impossible.
art giving persuasion
[M]ere knowledge of the truth will not give you the art of persuasion.
political honor sake
... the good are not willing to rule either for the sake of money or of honor.
self choices soul
The choice of souls was in most cases based on their own experience of a previous life... Knowledge easily acquired is that which the enduing self had in an earlier life, so that it flows back easily.
men soul quality
The qualities which a man seeks in his beloved are those characteristics of his own soul, whether he knows it or not.
law care towns
No town can live peacefully whatever its laws when its citizens do nothing but feast and drink and tire themselves out in the cares of love
harmony difficult rhythm
For when there are no words, it is very difficult to recognize the meaning of the harmony and rhythm, or to see any worldly object is imitated by them.
years talking hours
You get to know someone better by playing for an hour than by talking for a year.
hope-for-the-future ifs lanterns
If we are to have any hope for the future, those who have lanterns must pass them on to others.
desire doe fit
He who does not desire power is fit to hold it.
wise kindness men
If a man says that it is right to give every one his due, and therefore thinks within his own mind that injury is due from a just man to his enemies but kindness to his friends, he was not wise who said so, for he spoke not the truth, for in no case has it appeared to be just to injure any one.
people would-be body
Just as it would be madness to settle on medical treatment for the body of a person by taking an opinion poll of the neighbors, so it is irrational to prescribe for the body politic by polling the opinions of the people at large.
heart degrees doe
Let him take heart who does advance, even in the smallest degree.
beautiful wise ignorance
Neither do the ignorant love wisdom or desire to become wise; for this is the grievous thing about ignorance, that those who are neither good nor beautiful think they are good enough, and do not desire that which they do not think they are lacking.