Socrates
Socrates
Socrates was a classical Greekphilosopher credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy. He is an enigmatic figure known chiefly through the accounts of classical writers, especially the writings of his students Plato and Xenophon and the plays of his contemporary Aristophanes. Plato's dialogues are among the most comprehensive accounts of Socrates to survive from antiquity, though it is unclear the degree to which Socrates himself is "hidden behind his 'best disciple', Plato"...
NationalityGreek
ProfessionPhilosopher
smart stupid average
Smart people learn from everything and everyone, Average people from their experiences, Stupid people already have all the answers.
chiefly good greek-philosopher life
Not life, but good life, is to be chiefly valued.
glory nearest strive wish
The nearest way to glory is to strive to be what you wish to be thought to be
easily employ gain greek-philosopher hard others shall time
Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for.
adversity avoid depression elation human remember stable therefore
Remember that there is nothing stable in human affairs; therefore avoid undue elation in prosperity, or undue depression in adversity.
following god greek-philosopher life soul
The end of life is to be like God, and the soul following God will be like Him.
humility
How many are the things I can do without!
affections deeds kindness life thine thy words
Such as thy words are, such will thine affections be esteemed; and such as thine affections, will be thy deeds; and such as thy deeds will be thy life
citizen humankind nor
I am not an Athenian, nor a Greek, but a citizen of the world.
courage endure laugh persevere searching
We too must endure and persevere in the inquiry, and then courage will not laugh at our faintheartedness in searching for courage; which after all may, very likely, be endurance.
wise wisdom knowing-nothing
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
profound silence noise
Silence is a profound melody, for those who can hear it above all the noise.
wrinkles years soul
The years wrinkle our skin, but lack of enthusiasm wrinkles our soul.
curriculum
Let the questions be the curriculum.