Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow... even if that someone is yourself!
PlatoRead
... the community suffers nothing very terrible if its cobblers are bad and become degenerate and pretentious; but if the Guardians of its laws and constitution, who alone have the opportunity to bring it good government and prosperity, become a mere sham, then clearly it is completely ruined.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quality of a community depends on its leaders, not on its craftsmen.
In this quote, Plato emphasizes the vital importance of virtuous leadership in maintaining a healthy and prosperous society. While the quality of tradespeople like cobblers may be important, it is the integrity and competence of those in power who govern and uphold the laws that truly determine the well-being of a community. When leaders fail to uphold their responsibilities, the entire society suffers, resulting in its ultimate decline and ruin.
Themes
LeadershipGovernmentSocietyIntegrityPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of ethical leadership in politics.
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