Known to have one of the greatest influences on modern Western thought, and to have taught his ways to Aristotle in the Academy,
Plato is considered one of the greatest minds and logical rationalists in world history. While his works often border mysticism, his continual pursuit
of ethical answers based on logical processes still influences law, politics, education, ethics, philosophy, and psychology even today.
Not much is known about his childhood and young days but he was of some higher social class. He wrote poetry and plays and had access to the best
libraries and teachers available in his day. He knew much about the outside world, mainly through reading and intimate discussions with others.
He is considered to be one of the earliest philosophers.
(428 BC - 347 BC)
Ignorance, the root and stem of all evil.
~ Plato
There is no harm in repeating a good thing.
~ Plato
Science is nothing but perception.
~ Plato
No evil can happen to a good man, either in life or after death.
~ Plato
We ought to esteem it of the greatest importance that the fictions which children first hear should be adapted in the most perfect manner to the promotion of virtue.
~ Plato
Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.
~ Plato
The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future in life.
~ Plato
All men are by nature equal, made all of the same earth by one Workman; and however we deceive ourselves, as dear unto God is the poor peasant as the mighty prince.
~ Plato
Love is a serious mental disease.
~ Plato
The greatest wealth is to live content with little.
~ Plato
Thinking: the talking of the soul with itself.
~ Plato
He who is not a good servant will not be a good master.
~ 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?
~ Plato
Any man may easily do harm, but not every man can do good to another.
~ Plato
Truth is the beginning of every good to the gods, and of every good to man.
~ Plato
Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards and leads us from this world to another.
~ Plato
He who commits injustice is ever made more wretched than he who suffers it.
~ Plato
He who is of calm and happy nature will hardly feel the pressure of age, but to him who is of an opposite disposition youth and age are equally a burden.
~ Plato
When there is an income tax, the just man will pay more and the unjust less on the same amount of income.
~ Plato
Wisdom alone is the science of other sciences.
~ Plato
And what, Socrates, is the food of the soul? Surely, I said, knowledge is the food of the soul.
~ Plato
Man is a wingless animal with two feet and flat nails.
~ Plato
We ought to fly away from earth to heaven as quickly as we can; and to fly away is to become
like God, as far as this is possible; and to become like him is to become holy, just, and wise.
~ Plato
No man should bring children into the world who is unwilling to persevere to the end in their nature and education.
~ Plato
The beginning is the most important part of the work.
~ Plato
I have hardly ever known a mathematician who was capable of reasoning.
~ Plato
The community which has neither poverty nor riches will always have the noblest principles.
~ Plato
The Greek philosopher and logician (one who studies logic or reason) Socrates was an important influence
on Plato (427-347 B.C.E. ) and had a major effect on ancient philosophy.
Socrates was famous for his method of argumentation and his works often made as many enemies as admirers within Athens.
Cicero said that "Socrates brought down philosophy from the heavens to the earth."
Socrates appears to have lived the humblest life. He bought the cheapest food and drink, had no shirt or shoes, and
wore the same cloak summer and winter. But this gave him independence to do as he wished, and what he wished was to
help himself and others come to greater knowledge and peace of mind.
(469 B.C.E. - c. 399 B.C.E.)
Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.
~ Buddha
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.
~ Confucius
Is there anyone so wise as to learn by the experience of others?
~ Voltaire
