Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow... even if that someone is yourself!
PlatoRead
The democratic youth lives along day by day, gratifying the desire that occurs to him, at one time drinking and listening to the flute, at another downing water and reducing, now practicing gymnastic, and again idling and neglecting everything; and sometimes spending his time as though he were occupied in philosophy.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the diverse and sometimes aimless pursuits of youth.
In this quote, Plato observes that the essence of youth is characterized by a constant shift between various activities, ranging from indulgence in pleasures like drinking and listening to music, to engaging in physical fitness or philosophical contemplation. This fluctuation symbolizes the exploration of identity and purpose that young people experience as they seek fulfillment and self-discovery, often without a clear direction.
In practice
During a discussion on the importance of allowing teenagers to explore different interests, this quote could illustrate the diversity of their experiences.
Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow... even if that someone is yourself!
Not one of them who took up in his youth with this opinion that there are no gods ever continued until old age faithful to his conviction.
...for the object of education is to teach us to love beauty.
Pleasure is the greatest incentive to evil.
Nothing in the affairs of men is worthy of great anxiety.
Let parents bequeath to their children not riches, but the spirit of reverence.
There is no more great men; there is only great committees.
When God's justice falls, we are offended because we think God owes perpetual mercy. We must not take His grace for granted. We must never lose our capacity to be amazed by grace
If I murmur in the least at affliction, if I am in any way uncharitable, if I revenge my own case, if I do anything purely to please myself or omit anything because it is a great denial, if I trust myself, if I take any praise for any good which Christ does by me, or if I am in any way proud, I shall act as my own and not God’s.
The world is wider in all directions, more dangerous and bitter, more extravagant and bright. We are making hay when we should be making whoopee; we are raising tomatoes when we should be raising Cain and Lazarus.
Indeed it may be only by risking the incoherence of identity that connection is possible.
For what human ill does dawn not seem to be alternative?
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