The Greek biographer, moralist, historian and essayist who has been described as one of the most influential writers who ever lived. He studied mathematics, physics, medicine, natural science, rhetoric, philosophy, Greek, and Latin literature in 66. His biographies of others are famous but not much is known about him. Plutarch is perhaps best known for “Lives and Moralia” a collection of 83 treatises on diverse subjects such as vegetarianism; superstition; Epicurean, Stoic, and Academic philosophy; dietetics; divine justice; prophecy; demonology; conjugal relations; family life and mysticism. His works had strong influence on later writers and the literature of Europe and even America.
He was very much concerned with men’s moral conduct and individual moral guidance in an age when men were losing their faith in philosophy and religion.
(ca.46 – ca.120)
– Plutarch Quotes –
To find fault is easy; to do better may be difficult.
~ Plutarch
Silence at the proper season is wisdom, and better than any speech.
~ Plutarch
It were better to have no opinion of God at all than such a one as is unworthy of him; for the one is only belief – the other contempt.
~ Plutarch
I don’t need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.
~ Plutarch
Fate leads him who follows it, and drags him who resist.
~ Plutarch
The whole life of man is but a point of time; let us enjoy it.
~ Plutarch
Let us carefully observe those good qualities wherein our enemies excel us; and endeavor to excel them, by avoiding what is faulty, and imitating what is excellent in them.
~ Plutarch
When the strong box contains no more both friends and flatterers shun the door.
~ Plutarch
Courage stands halfway between cowardice and rashness, one of which is a lack, the other an excess of courage.
~ Plutarch
We ought not to treat living creatures like shoes or household belongings, which when worn with use we throw away.
~ Plutarch
In words are seen the state of mind and character and disposition of the speaker.
~ Plutarch
Do not speak of your happiness to one less fortunate than yourself.
~ Plutarch
When the candles are out all women are fair.
~ Plutarch
Medicine to produce health must examine disease; and music, to create harmony must investigate discord.
~ Plutarch
I would rather excel in the knowledge of what is excellent, than in the extent of my power and possessions.
~ Plutarch
If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.
~ Plutarch
To be ignorant of the lives of the most celebrated men of antiquity is to continue in a state of childhood all our days.
~ Plutarch
Character is long-standing habit.
~ Plutarch
An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics.
~ Plutarch
A few vices are sufficient to darken many virtues.
~ Plutarch
No man ever wetted clay and then left it, as if there would be bricks by chance and fortune.
~ Plutarch
Know how to listen, and you will profit even from those who talk badly.
~ Plutarch
All men whilst they are awake are in one common world: but each of them, when he is asleep, is in a world of his own.
~ Plutarch
Do not speak of your happiness to one less fortunate than yourself.
~ Plutarch
No beast is more savage than man when possessed with power answerable to his rage.
~ Plutarch
Nothing is harder to direct than a man in prosperity; nothing more easily managed that one is adversity.
~ Plutarch
Character is simply habit long continued.
~ Plutarch
Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks.
~ Plutarch
Perseverance is more prevailing than violence; and many things which cannot be overcome when they are together, yield themselves up when taken little by little.
~ Plutarch
The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.
~ Plutarch
Neither blame or praise yourself.
~ Plutarch
So very difficult a matter is it to trace and find out the truth of anything by history.
~ Plutarch
Prosperity is no just scale; adversity is the only balance to weigh friends.
~ Plutarch
Moral habits, induced by public practices, are far quicker in making their way into men’s private lives, than the failings and faults of individuals are in infecting the city at large.
~ Plutarch
The real destroyer of the liberties of the people is he who spreads among them bounties, donations and benefits.
~ Plutarch
It is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds, though he risk everything.
~ Plutarch
Courage consists not in hazarding without fear; but being resolutely minded in a just cause.
~ Plutarch
The omission of good is no less reprehensible than the commission of evil.
~ Plutarch
For to err in opinion, though it be not the part of wise men, is at least human.
~ Plutarch
To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future.
~ Plutarch
What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.
~ Plutarch
It is indeed a desirable thing to be well-descended, but the glory belongs to our ancestors.
~ Plutarch
Those who aim at great deeds must also suffer greatly.
~ Plutarch
An old doting fool, with one foot already in the grave.
~ Plutarch
The very spring and root of honesty and virtue lie in good education.
~ Plutarch
Rest is the sweet sauce of labor.
~ Plutarch
The wildest colts make the best horses.
~ Plutarch
