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100 Top Quotes By Socrates That Are Full Of Wisdom

Famous As: Greek Philosopher Who is Credited as the Founder of Western Philosophy
Born On: 470 AD
Died On: 399 AD
Born In: Alopece, Greek
Died At Age: -71

Socrates was a philosopher who lived in ancient Greece at around 470 BC and is regarded as one of the pioneers of modern philosophy. Socrates was without doubt the greatest philosophers of his time and taught some of the stalwarts of the time like Xenophon and Plato among others. Much of his body of work as a philosopher is not directly available but instead his teachings have been published in the works of his students like Plato. Aristophenes’ plays also put forth the teachings of Socrates so that the general public of the time could get to know his lofty views on philosophy. In the widely read Plato’s Dialogues, Socrates’ take on philosophy, ethics and irony have been put forwards by his student and remains one of the most important sources of information on the teachings of the Greek philosopher. Epistemology or the study of knowledge, is another distinct branch of philosophy that was pioneered by Socrates and he remains the most authoritative voice on the subject. Now, a man of such thinking abilities must also have left behind an excellent cache of quotes that would inspire people to this day and here are some of the choicest quotes by Socrates.

The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.

The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.

Socrates
The unexamined life is not worth living.

The unexamined life is not worth living.

Socrates
There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.

There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.

Socrates
I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think

I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think

Socrates
Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.

Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.

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

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

Socrates
Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.

Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.

Socrates
To find yourself, think for yourself.

To find yourself, think for yourself.

Socrates
Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.

Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.

Socrates
By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.

Socrates
Be slow to fall into friendship, but when you are in, continue firm and constant.

Be slow to fall into friendship, but when you are in, continue firm and constant.

Socrates
He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.

He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.

Socrates
The children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise.

The children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise.

Socrates
Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.

Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.

Socrates
Know thyself.

Know thyself.

Socrates
Let him who would move the world first move himself.

Let him who would move the world first move himself.

Socrates
When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser.

When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser.

Socrates
Death may be the greatest of all human blessings.

Death may be the greatest of all human blessings.

Socrates
The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance.

The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance.

Socrates
Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty.

Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty.

Socrates
Every action has its pleasures and its price.

Every action has its pleasures and its price.

Socrates
Do not do to others what angers you if done to you by others.

Do not do to others what angers you if done to you by others.

Socrates
Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings so that you shall come easily by what others have labored hard for.

Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings so that you shall come easily by what others have labored hard for.

Socrates
No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.

No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.

Socrates
I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.

I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world." [As quoted in Plutarch's Of Banishment]

Socrates
The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our separate ways, I to die, and you to live. Which of these two is better only God knows.

The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our separate ways, I to die, and you to live. Which of these two is better only God knows.

Socrates
Prefer knowledge to wealth, for the one is transitory, the other perpetual.

Prefer knowledge to wealth, for the one is transitory, the other perpetual.

Socrates
We cannot live better than in seeking to become better.

We cannot live better than in seeking to become better.

Socrates
Understanding a question is half an answer

Understanding a question is half an answer

Socrates
Envy is the ulcer of the soul.

Envy is the ulcer of the soul.

Socrates