Plato Quotes
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If there were only some way of contriving that a state or an army should be made up of lovers and their beloved, they would be the very best governors of their own city, abstaining from all dishonour, and emulating one another in honour; and when fighting at each other's side, although a mere handful, they would overcome the world. For what lover would not choose rather to be seen by all mankind than by his beloved, either when abandoning his post or throwing away his arms? He would be ready to die a thousand deaths rather than endure this.
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That a guardian should require another guardian to take care of him is ridiculous indeed.
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There is no such thing as a lovers' oath.
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The democratic youth lives along day by day, gratifying the desire that occurs to him, at one time drinking and listening to the flute, at another downing water and reducing, now practicing gymnastic, and again idling and neglecting everything; and sometimes spending his time as though he were occupied in philosophy.
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Let nobody speak mischief of anybody.
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The beginning is the most important part of any work, especially in the case of a young and tender thing; for that is the time at which the character is being formed and the desired impression is more readily taken.
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Then the lover, who is true and no counterfeit, must of necessity be loved by his love.
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Education is the constraining and directing of youth towards that right reason, which the law affirms, and which the experience of the best of our elders has agreed to be truly right.
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Apply yourself both now and in the next life. Without effort, you cannot be prosperous. Though the land be good, You cannot have an abundant crop without cultivation.
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Thinking: the talking of the soul with itself.
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It is clear to everyone that astronomy at all events compels the soul to look upwards, and draws it from the things of this world to the other.
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From all wild beasts, a child is the most difficult to handle.
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Wonder [said Socrates] is very much the affection of a philosopher; for there is no other beginning of philosophy than this.
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Every unjust man is unjust against his will.
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No one ever teaches well who wants to teach, or governs well who wants to govern.
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Abstinence is the surety of temperance.
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They (the poets) are to us in a manner the fathers and authors of the wisdom.
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For neither does wealth bring honour to the owner, if he be a coward; of such a one the wealth belongs to another, and not to himself. Nor does beauty and strength of body, when dwelling in a base and cowardly man, appear comely, but the reverse of comely, making the possessor more conspicuous, and manifesting forth his cowardice.
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No soul willfully does wrong.
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The principles are important. First, the interest of the state or society counts for everything, that of the individual for nothing. Second, the only difference between men and women is one of physical function- one begets, the other bears children. Apart from that, they both can and should perform the same functions - though men on a whole, perform them better and should receive the same education to enable them to do so; for in this way society will get the best value from both.
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Those who reproach injustice do so because they are afraid not of doing it but of suffering it.
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Death is not the worst that can happen to men.
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I to die, and you to live. Which is better God only knows.
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Some thoughtlessly proclaim the Muses nine: A tenth is Sappho, maid divine.