Plutarch
Plutarch
Plutarch; c. AD 46 – AD 120) was a Greek historian, biographer, and essayist, known primarily for his Parallel Lives and Moralia. He is classified as a Middle Platonist. Plutarch's surviving works were written in Greek, but intended for both Greek and Roman readers...
NationalityGreek
ProfessionPhilosopher
answers speech
Abstruse questions must have abstruse answers.
freedom tyrants economic-inequality
An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics.
time counselor wisest
Time is the wisest of all counselors.
perseverance taken persistence
Perseverance is more prevailing than violence; and many things which cannot be overcome when they are together, yield themselves up when taken little by little.
kings future sweat
The new king [Alexander the Great] should perform acts so important and glorious as would make the poets and musicians of future ages labour and sweat to describe and celebrate him.
friends pain true-friend
The flatterer's object is to please in everything he does; whereas the true friend always does what is right, and so often gives pleasure, often pain, not wishing the latter, but not shunning it either, if he deems it best.
kindness philosophical men
The obligations of law and equity reach only to mankind; but kindness and beneficence should be extended to the creatures of every species, and these will flow from the breast of a true man, as streams that issue from the living fountain.
inspirational empathy advice
Know how to listen, and you will profit even from those who talk badly.
pain littles taste
Oh, what a world full of pain we create, for a little taste upon the tongue.
dream sleep insomnia
All men whilst they are awake are in one common world: but each of them, when he is asleep, is in a world of his own.
happiness happy speak-less
Do not speak of your happiness to one less fortunate than yourself.
leisure should elders
Dionysius the Elder, being asked whether he was at leisure, he replied, "God forbid that it should ever befall me!
kings two earth
When Darius offered him ten thousand talents, and to divide Asia equally with him, "I would accept it," said Parmenio, "were I Alexander." "And so truly would I," said Alexander, "if I were Parmenio." But he answered Darius that the earth could not bear two suns, nor Asia two kings.
blame praise
Neither blame or praise yourself.