40 Famous Philosophical Quotes by Plato on Love, Politics, Knowledge and Power

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Plato was a philosopher, as well as mathematician, in Classical Greece. He is considered an essential figure in the development of philosophy, especially the Western tradition, and he founded the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world.

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You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. Quote by Plato
You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.

Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Quote by Plato
Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.

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. Quote by 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.

Human behavior flows from three main sources; desire, emotion, and knowledge. Quote by Plato
Human behavior flows from three main sources; desire, emotion, and knowledge.

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

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

We are twice armed if they fight with faith. Quote by Plato
We are twice armed if they fight with faith.

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

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

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A good decision is based on knowledge and not on numbers. Quote by Plato
A good decision is based on knowledge and not on numbers.

One of the penalties for refusing to participate i politics is that you end up being governed by inferiors. Quote by Plato
One of the penalties for refusing to participate i politics is that you end up being governed by inferiors.

Opinions is the medium between knowledge and ignorance. Quote by Plato
Opinions is the medium between knowledge and ignorance.

Love is the joy of the good, the wonder of the wise, the amazement of the Gods. Quote by Plato
Love is the joy of the good, the wonder of the wise, the amazement of the Gods.

The greatest wealth is to live content with little. Quote by Plato
The greatest wealth is to live content with little.

Thinking - the talking of the soul with itself. Quote by Plato
Thinking – the talking of the soul with itself.

The first and greatest victory is to conquer yourself; to be conquered by yourself is of all things most shameful and vile. Quote by Plato
The first and greatest victory is to conquer yourself; to be conquered by yourself is of all things most shameful and vile.

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

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

Knowledge without justice ought to be called cunning rather than wisdom. Quote by Plato
Knowledge without justice ought to be called cunning rather than wisdom.

Ignorance, the root and steam of all evil. Quote by Plato
Ignorance, the root and steam of all evil.

He who is not a good servant will not be a good master. Quote by Plato
He who is not a good servant will not be a good master.

Courage is knowing what not to fear. Quote by Plato
Courage is knowing what not to fear.

Attention to health if life's greatest hindrance. Quote by Plato
Attention to health if life’s greatest hindrance.

Science is nothing but perception. Quote by Plato
Science is nothing but perception.

All men are by nature equal, made all of the same earth by one workman. Quote by Plato
All men are by nature equal, made all of the same earth by one workman.

Honesty is for the most part less profitable than dishonesty. Quote by Plato
Honesty is for the most part less profitable than dishonesty.

There is no harm in repeating a good thing. Quote by Plato
There is no harm in repeating a good thing.

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For a man to conquer himself is the first and noblest of all victories. Quote by Plato
For a man to conquer himself is the first and noblest of all victories.

I a man neglects education, he walks lame to the end of his life. Quote by Plato
I a man neglects education, he walks lame to the end of his life.

Life must be lived as play. Quote by Plato
Life must be lived as play.

No law or ordinance is mightier than understanding. Quote by Plato
No law or ordinance is mightier than understanding.

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

Justice means minding one's own business and not meddling with other men's concern. Quote by Plato
Justice means minding one’s own business and not meddling with other men’s concern.

Better a little which is well done, than a great deal imperfectly. Quote by Plato
Better a little which is well done, than a great deal imperfectly.

Knowledge is true opinion. Quote by Plato
Knowledge is true opinion.

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

Only the dead have seen the end of the war. Quote by Plato
Only the dead have seen the end of the war.

We do not learn, and what they call learning is only a process of recollection. Quote by Plato
We do not learn, and what they call learning is only a process of recollection.

Wisdom alone is the science of other sciences. Quote by Plato
Wisdom alone is the science of other sciences.

Truth is the beginning of every good to the gods, and of every good to man. Quote by Plato
Truth is the beginning of every good to the gods, and of every good to man.

13 Comments

  1. Gravatar
    Santos Salinas

    Why did Solomon say better to study the flower’s of the field than look at the beauty of women thier is a teaching that says put a blade in the ground with the sharp up with blood and the wolf will lick it even with it’s own blood I have nightmares all was and like reading scientific magazine the words I read are surely wise but did ancient Greece really rule because of Plato and how does one get wise thinking about ancient astronomy I’ve seen Egypt Africa Europe North and South America also Asia and ocean bottom my thought is are some men born wise I read the bibel and Angeles open thier mind’s I took class in high school we’re the line was short thank you

  2. Gravatar
    kiprono cheruiyot wesley

    Nourish your soul and feed your mind with this great wisdom from Plato since what you learn determine what you will earn in all aspect of life.

    The wisdom of Plato has been my guiding charter in my pursuit of Excellency at the university of kabianga.

  3. Gravatar
    clemence sayi

    he was a good man,his quotes remain to guide us in our life

  4. Gravatar
    Fredrick Otieno Ondigo

    These are great teachings I love them

    • Gravatar
      Albert D. sharangabo

      The wise are always wise. I can’t miss reading these wise quotes…
      Indeed decision is based on knowledge not numbers-plato
      Sharangabo, Albert D.

  5. Gravatar
    Alfra Al Frankfurter

    To run after a rolling ball down a hill is useless. Act beforehand to insure it will not happen ! :)

  6. Gravatar
    Alfred Frankfurter

    Life is to live !

  7. Gravatar
    George. Lagoudis.

    It basically comes down to BALANCE in all things. This is not Easy, It is a Challenge try and balance that Bicycle on all Types of terrain/ surfaces — You understand, what is meant .

  8. Gravatar
    Kwanda Xobongo

    What a great quotes, coming from a man full of ethics, wisdom, leadership, and integrity. God should also bring people who are going to view life the same way Mr. Plato did, it will change the earth.

  9. Gravatar
    sumaira

    i think philosphy of love is superb

  10. Gravatar
    pollen mugagadeli

    the great great philosopher plato ”if wat u see with ur iyes doesn’t match with what u hear with ur ears believe ur iyes ive experienced that I respect plato

  11. Gravatar
    Atul

    The context is:

    “They say also that honesty is for the most part less profitable than dishonesty; and they are quite ready to call wicked men happy, and to honour them both in public and private when they are rich or in any other way influential…”

    So it is NOT Plato’s actual view that dishonesty is better. He is talking about justice in The Republic. One of the objections is being put forward that there is no genuine justice in the world because those who are corrupt appear on the surface of things to gain more than than those who are honest.

  12. Gravatar
    Mukoma

    My interest falls under the fact Plato; father of western education, illustratively understood the symbiosis of nature and the environment. His quotes not only show wisdom but also illustrate the ancient understanding of life and the forces of life. Not much has changed since, ha ha i mean Fools still talk just to say something when the wise speak because they have something to say. Plato’s mind is immortal, his expression of the mortal world introduces so much after centuries of seasons in Earth.

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