Plato (c. 427–347 BCE) was a Greek philosopher, a student of Socrates, and the teacher of Aristotle. He founded the Academy in Athens, one of the earliest institutions of higher learning in the Western world. Plato’s work laid the foundations of Western philosophy and science, particularly in the realms of ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, and political theory. His writings, often in the form of dialogues, explore topics such as justice, virtue, love, and the ideal state. His most famous works include The Republic, Phaedo, and Symposium.
Quotes
“Human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge.”
“The measure of a man is what he does with power.”
“Knowledge becomes evil if the aim be not virtuous.”
“Ignorance, the root and stem of every evil.”
“The beginning is the most important part of the work.”
“Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.”
“Courage is knowing what not to fear.”
“Justice means minding your own business and not meddling with other men’s concerns.”
“An unexamined life is not worth living.”
“Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.”
“There is no harm in repeating a good thing.”
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.”
“The greatest wealth is to live content with little.”
“Education is teaching our children to desire the right things.”
“Reality is created by the mind; we can change our reality by changing our mind.”
“He who wishes to serve his country must have not only the power to think, but the will to act.”
“Excellence is not a gift, but a skill that takes practice. We do not act rightly because we are excellent; in fact, we achieve excellence by acting rightly.”
“The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future life.”
“Opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance.”
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.”