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100 Enlightening Quotes By Plato That Give A Glimpse Into His Great Mind

Famous As: Greek Philosopher and Founder of Platonist School
Born On: May 21, 428
Died On: 348 AD
Born In: Classical Athens, Greece
Died At Age: -81

One of the towering figures of ancient Greek philosophy, Plato was the founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. A student of the great philosopher Socrates, Plato was also the teacher of another influential figure, Aristotle. These three philosophers are jointly credited to have laid the very foundations of Western philosophy and science. Plato was not just highly influential in the fields of Western science, philosophy, and mathematics, but is also said to have been one of the founders of Western religion and spirituality. In addition, he is also credited to have been the founder of Western political philosophy and one of the most influential authors in the history of philosophy. What would be a better way to imbibe some of his vast wisdom than by leisurely reading through his words of wisdom that we bring to you in form of quotes?

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.

Plato
Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back. Those who wish to sing always find a song. At the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet.

Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back. Those who wish to sing always find a song. At the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet.

Plato
Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.

Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.

Plato
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.

We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.

Plato
Only the dead have seen the end of war.

Only the dead have seen the end of war.

Plato
The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.

The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.

Plato
Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.

Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.

Plato
The heaviest penalty for declining to rule is to be ruled by someone inferior to yourself.

The heaviest penalty for declining to rule is to be ruled by someone inferior to yourself.

Plato
Love is a serious mental disease.

Love is a serious mental disease.

Plato
Never discourage anyone...who continually makes progress, no matter how slow.

Never discourage anyone...who continually makes progress, no matter how slow.

Plato
One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.

One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.

Plato
I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.

I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.

Plato
Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws

Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws

Plato
Ignorance, the root and stem of every evil.

Ignorance, the root and stem of every evil.

Plato
There is truth in wine and children

There is truth in wine and children

Plato
I'm trying to think, don't confuse me with facts.

I'm trying to think, don't confuse me with facts.

Plato
If women are expected to do the same work as men, we must teach them the same things.

If women are expected to do the same work as men, we must teach them the same things.

Plato
The measure of a man is what he does with power.

The measure of a man is what he does with power.

Plato
Those who tell the stories rule society.

Those who tell the stories rule society.

Plato
The madness of love is the greatest of heaven's blessings

The madness of love is the greatest of heaven's blessings

Plato
Human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge.

Human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge.

Plato
There are three classes of men; lovers of wisdom, lovers of honor, and lovers of gain.

There are three classes of men; lovers of wisdom, lovers of honor, and lovers of gain.

Plato
Education is teaching our children to desire the right things.

Education is teaching our children to desire the right things.

Plato
When men speak ill of thee, live so as nobody may believe them.

When men speak ill of thee, live so as nobody may believe them.

Plato
There are two things a person should never be angry at, what they can help, and what they cannot.

There are two things a person should never be angry at, what they can help, and what they cannot.

Plato
Courage is knowing what not to fear.

Courage is knowing what not to fear.

Plato
In politics we presume that everyone who knows how to get votes knows how to administer a city or a state. When we are ill... we do not ask for the handsomest physician, or the most eloquent one.

In politics we presume that everyone who knows how to get votes knows how to administer a city or a state. When we are ill... we do not ask for the handsomest physician, or the most eloquent one.

Plato
How can you prove whether at this moment we are sleeping, and all our thoughts are a dream; or whether we are awake, and talking to one another in the waking state?

How can you prove whether at this moment we are sleeping, and all our thoughts are a dream; or whether we are awake, and talking to one another in the waking state?

Plato
You should not honor men more than truth.

You should not honor men more than truth.

Plato
The beginning is the most important part of the work.

The beginning is the most important part of the work.

Plato
Necessity is the mother of invention.

Necessity is the mother of invention.

Plato
The object of education is to teach us to love what is beautiful.

The object of education is to teach us to love what is beautiful.

Plato
Death is not the worst that can happen to men.

Death is not the worst that can happen to men.

Plato
You're my Star, a stargazer too,
and I wish that I were Heaven,
with a billion eyes to look at you!

You're my Star, a stargazer too, and I wish that I were Heaven, with a billion eyes to look at you!

Plato
Character is simply habit long continued.

Character is simply habit long continued.

Plato
Musical innovation is full of danger to the State, for when modes of music change, the fundamental laws of the State always change with them.

Musical innovation is full of danger to the State, for when modes of music change, the fundamental laws of the State always change with them.

Plato
People are like dirt. They can either nourish you and help you grow as a person or they can stunt your growth and make you wilt and die.

People are like dirt. They can either nourish you and help you grow as a person or they can stunt your growth and make you wilt and die.

Plato
A house that has a library in it has a soul.

A house that has a library in it has a soul.

Plato
The greatest wealth is to live content with little.

The greatest wealth is to live content with little.

Plato
No man should bring children into the world who is unwilling to persevere to the end in their nature and education.

No man should bring children into the world who is unwilling to persevere to the end in their nature and education.

Plato
Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder

Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder

Plato
Bodily exercise, when compulsory, does no harm to the body; but knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind.

Bodily exercise, when compulsory, does no harm to the body; but knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind.

Plato
Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.

Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.

Plato
Those who are able to see beyond the shadows and lies of their culture will never be understood, let alone believed, by the masses.

Those who are able to see beyond the shadows and lies of their culture will never be understood, let alone believed, by the masses.

Plato
An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.

An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.

Plato
A hero is born among a hundred, a wise man is found among a thousand, but an accomplished one might not be found even among a hundred thousand men.

A hero is born among a hundred, a wise man is found among a thousand, but an accomplished one might not be found even among a hundred thousand men.

Plato
Love is simply the name for the desire and pursuit of the whole.

Love is simply the name for the desire and pursuit of the whole.

Plato
Love is the pursuit of the whole.

Love is the pursuit of the whole.

Plato
Writing is the geometry of the soul.

Writing is the geometry of the soul.

Plato
There is in every one of us, even those who seem to be most moderate, a type of desire that is terrible, wild, and lawless.

There is in every one of us, even those who seem to be most moderate, a type of desire that is terrible, wild, and lawless.

Plato
Any man may easily do harm, but not every man can do good to another.

Any man may easily do harm, but not every man can do good to another.

Plato
I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning

I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning

Plato
…if a man can be properly said to love something, it must be clear that he feels affection for it as a whole, and does not love part of it to the exclusion of the rest.

…if a man can be properly said to love something, it must be clear that he feels affection for it as a whole, and does not love part of it to the exclusion of the rest.

Plato
For this feeling of wonder shows that you are a philosopher, since wonder is the only beginning of philosophy.

For this feeling of wonder shows that you are a philosopher, since wonder is the only beginning of philosophy.

Plato
Poets utter great and wise things which they do not themselves understand.

Poets utter great and wise things which they do not themselves understand.

Plato
I thought to myself: I am wiser than this man; neither of us probably knows anything that is really good, but he thinks he has knowledge, when he has not, while I, having no knowledge, do not think I have.

I thought to myself: I am wiser than this man; neither of us probably knows anything that is really good, but he thinks he has knowledge, when he has not, while I, having no knowledge, do not think I have.

Plato
Love is born into every human being; it calls back the halves of our original nature together; it tries to make one out of two and heal the wound of human nature.

Love is born into every human being; it calls back the halves of our original nature together; it tries to make one out of two and heal the wound of human nature.

Plato
Books are immortal sons defying their sires.

Books are immortal sons defying their sires.

Plato
The first and best victory is to conquer self

The first and best victory is to conquer self

Plato
The soul takes flight to the world that is invisible but there arriving she is sure of bliss and forever dwells in paradise.

The soul takes flight to the world that is invisible but there arriving she is sure of bliss and forever dwells in paradise.

Plato
Man is a being in search of meaning.

Man is a being in search of meaning.

Plato
At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet.

At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet.

Plato
True friendship can exist only between equals.

True friendship can exist only between equals.

Plato
No wealth can ever make a bad man at peace with himself

No wealth can ever make a bad man at peace with himself

Plato
False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil.

False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil.

Plato
No human thing is of serious importance.

No human thing is of serious importance.

Plato
Either we shall find what it is we are seeking or at least we shall free ourselves from the persuasion that we know what we do not know.

Either we shall find what it is we are seeking or at least we shall free ourselves from the persuasion that we know what we do not know.

Plato
All I really know is the extent of my own ignorance

All I really know is the extent of my own ignorance

Plato
Have you ever sensed that our soul is immortal and never dies?

Have you ever sensed that our soul is immortal and never dies?

Plato
He was a wise man who invented God.

He was a wise man who invented God.

Plato
Of all the animals, the boy is the most unmanageable.

Of all the animals, the boy is the most unmanageable.

Plato
How could they see anything but the shadows if they were never allowed to move their heads?

How could they see anything but the shadows if they were never allowed to move their heads?

Plato
Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history.

Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history.

Plato
Love' is the name for our pursuit of wholeness, for our desire to be complete.

Love' is the name for our pursuit of wholeness, for our desire to be complete.

Plato
All is flux, nothing stays still

All is flux, nothing stays still

Plato
A dog has the soul of a philosopher.

A dog has the soul of a philosopher.

Plato
Everything that deceives may be said to enchant.

Everything that deceives may be said to enchant.

Plato
Wise men talk because they have something to say; Fools, because they have to say something.

Wise men talk because they have something to say; Fools, because they have to say something.

Plato
Is there a perfect world?

Is there a perfect world?

Plato
The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.

The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.

Plato
The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future life

The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future life

Plato
Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being

Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being

Plato
Ideas are the source of all things

Ideas are the source of all things

Plato
When there is an income tax, the just man will pay more and the unjust less on the same amount of income.

When there is an income tax, the just man will pay more and the unjust less on the same amount of income.

Plato
Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity

Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity

Plato
Philosophy is the highest music.

Philosophy is the highest music.

Plato
Time is the moving image of reality

Time is the moving image of reality

Plato
χαλεπὰ τὰ καλά

Nothing beautiful without struggle.

χαλεπὰ τὰ καλά Nothing beautiful without struggle.

Plato
He whom loves touches not walks in darkness.

He whom loves touches not walks in darkness.

Plato
I have hardly ever known a mathematician who was capable of reasoning.

I have hardly ever known a mathematician who was capable of reasoning.

Plato
Come then, and let us pass a leisure hour in storytelling, and our story shall be the education of our heroes.

Come then, and let us pass a leisure hour in storytelling, and our story shall be the education of our heroes.

Plato
When the tyrant has disposed of foreign enemies by conquest or treaty and there is nothing to fear from them then he is always stirring up some wary or other in order that the people may require a leader.

When the tyrant has disposed of foreign enemies by conquest or treaty and there is nothing to fear from them then he is always stirring up some wary or other in order that the people may require a leader.

Plato
Knowledge is the food of the soul.

Knowledge is the food of the soul.

Plato
Only a philosopher's mind grows wings, since its memory always keeps it as close as possible to those realities by being close to which the gods are divine.

Only a philosopher's mind grows wings, since its memory always keeps it as close as possible to those realities by being close to which the gods are divine.

Plato
Man is a prisoner who has no right to open the door of his prison and run away... A man should wait, and not take his own life until God summons him.

Man is a prisoner who has no right to open the door of his prison and run away... A man should wait, and not take his own life until God summons him.

Plato
A life without investigation is not worth living

A life without investigation is not worth living

Plato
This and no other is the root from
which a tyrant springs; when he
first appears he is a protector.

This and no other is the root from which a tyrant springs; when he first appears he is a protector.

Plato
Let parents then bequeath to their children not riches but the spirit of reverence.

Let parents then bequeath to their children not riches but the spirit of reverence.

Plato
But Above all things truth beareth away the victory

But Above all things truth beareth away the victory

Plato
The difficulty, my friends, is not in avoiding death, but in avoiding unrighteousness; for that runs faster than death.

The difficulty, my friends, is not in avoiding death, but in avoiding unrighteousness; for that runs faster than death.

Plato