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
death human
Death may be the greatest of all human blessings.
based conception emotional greek-philosopher illusion mere relative sound system thoroughly vulgar
A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true.
oracle wisdom wisest
The Delphic oracle said I was the wisest of all the Greeks. It is because I alone, of all the Greeks, know that I know nothing.
enjoy enjoyment later
Enjoy yourself -- it's later than you think.
appear experience honor human increase practice reality shortest strengthen surest themselves virtues
The shortest and surest way to live with honor in the world is to be in reality what we would appear to be; all human virtues increase and strengthen themselves by the practice and experience of them.
greek-philosopher
As for me, all I know is that I know nothing.
bear beautiful carry consider cute-love dear external friendly gods grant harmony man moderate oh pan sweet-love wise
Oh dear Pan and all the other Gods of this place, grant that I may be beautiful inside. Let all my external possessions be in friendly harmony with what is within. May I consider the wise man rich. As for gold, let me have as much as a moderate man could bear and carry with him.
artificial contentment luxury natural poverty
Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty
ashamed care caring fame improvement money neither nor truth wisdom
Are you not ashamed of caring so much for the making of money and for fame and prestige, when you neither think nor care about wisdom and truth and the improvement of your soul?
good men virtue
Virtue does not come from wealth, but. . . wealth, and every other good thing which men have. . . comes from virtue.
begins feeling philosophy wonder
Wonder is the feeling of a philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder.
education filling vessel
Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel
beginning definition wisdom
The beginning of wisdom is the definition of terms.
glory nearest strive wish
The nearest way to glory is to strive to be what you wish to be thought to be