Best Plato Quotes, Sayings, Images
Learn his outlook on life, politics, and reason from the ancient Greek philosopher
Our Plato quotes and images put the spotlight on one of the most influential philosophers the world has ever know. He was a student of Socrates and an instructor to Aristotle in the middle fourth century B.C. He grew up in Athens, Greece, and was also influenced by Parmenides and the Pythagoreans.
As Socrates never put anything down in writing, Plato is also known for being Socrates’ primary author and most reliable.
Plato’s most famous work is The Republic. In this work, Plato provided his own philosophy. He addresses topics like politics, ethics, and moral psychology. In this work, Plato introduces the concept that is now known as “Platonic love.” Platonic love is a type of close relationship that is non-romantic in nature.
To recognize the wisdom of man, we’ve gathered up his 23 best Plato quotes and images for your review to share with friends and colleagues.
Famous Plato Quotes
Plato is widely regarded as one of the most significant contributors to Western philosophy. His thinking influenced a long line of philosophers and continues so today.
1.) Plato love quote for the ages
“Love is a serious mental disease.”
2.) Being good creates a cascading effect
“Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.”
3.) Be kind to those struggling
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
4.) The philosophy of thinking
“Thinking – the talking of the soul with itself.”
5.) Democracy and government carry responsibilities
“The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.”
6.) Plato on the futility of war
“Only the dead have seen the end of the war.”
– Plato
7.) Speak up to protect your rights
“Your silence gives consent.”
8.) Difference between knowledge and wisdom
“Knowledge without justice ought to be called cunning rather than wisdom.”
9.) On how people behave
“Human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge.”
10.) Reward progress at any pace
“Never discourage anyone… who continually makes progress, no matter how slow.”
11.) Plato lines on courage and bravery
“Courage is knowing what not to fear.”
12.) Society and adhering to the law
“Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the law.”
– Plato
Check out 20 Best Marcus Aurelius Quotes.
13.) Plato Republic quotations
“We are twice armed if we fight with faith.”
14.) Evaluating contribution to society
“The measure of a man is what he does with power.”
15.) The subjective nature of evaluating beauty
“Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.”
16.) On politics and decision-making
“A good decision is based on knowledge and not on numbers.”
17.) Assessing a man’s contribution by how much he talks
“As empty vessels make the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”
18.) Famous Plato love quote
“At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet.”
19.) Mastery requires work
“Excellence is not a gift, but a skill that takes practice. We do not act ‘rightly’ because we are ‘excellent’, in fact, we achieve ‘excellence’ by acting ‘rightly.’”
20.) Gratitude and contentment
“The greatest wealth is to live content with little.”
21.) Education through discussion
“Opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance.”
22.) Plato quotes on education
“The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future in life.”
23.) Best Plato saying on wisdom
“Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.”
Plato’s Best and Worst Ideas Video
Plato’s Writings
Plato covered a wide range of topics in his writings including epistemology (the study of knowledge), theology, cosmology, beauty, metaphysics (the study of nature), equality, and justice. Some historians believe that the name Plato was a nickname. These historians believe his real name is Aristocles.
Plato served as a soldier in the Sparta vs. Athens War in 409 – 404 B.C. Sparta defeated Athens. In 385 B.C., Plato founded the first institution of higher learning in the Western world and named it The Academy.
A study in 1999 revealed that there are some 2,894 books about Plato. This made him the 10th most famous person who ever lived on the face of the earth at that time. Given the fact that he died before Christ, that speaks volumes (literally) to the longevity of his thinking.
-MacKenzie Murdoch
MacKenzie writes about philosophy, history, and culture.
Further Reading
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