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
friendship best-friend adversity
Prosperity is no just scale; adversity is the only balance to weigh friends.
family ancestry glory
It is indeed a desirable thing to be well-descended, but the glory belongs to our ancestors.
integrity men noble-man
It is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds, though he risk everything.
character mind disposition
In words are seen the state of mind and character and disposition of the speaker.
dolphins philosopher granted
...To the Dolphin alone, beyond all other, nature has granted what the best philosophers seek: friendship for no advantage
fate destiny drag
Fate leads him who follows it, and drags him who resist.
education teacher appreciation
The very spring and root of honesty and virtue lie in good education.
harmony harmony-in-music discord
Music, to create harmony, must investigate discord.
life men childhood
To be ignorant of the lives of the most celebrated men of antiquity is to continue in a state of childhood all our days.
veils raised mortals
I am all that hath been, and is, and shall be; and my veil no mortal has hitherto raised.
fighting enemy ships
The saying of old Antigonus, who when he was to fight at Andros, and one told him, "The enemy's ships are more than ours," replied, "For how many then wilt thou reckon me?
divine lost incredulity
Knowledge of divine things for the most part, as Heraclitus says, is lost to us by incredulity.
rage said ifs
Demosthenes told Phocion, "The Athenians will kill you some day when they once are in a rage." "And you," said he, "if they are once in their senses.
might fool criminals
Being summoned by the Athenians out of Sicily to plead for his life, Alcibiades absconded, saying that that criminal was a fool who studied a defence when he might fly for it.