As to the gods, I have no means of knowing either that they exist or do not exist.
ProtagorasRead
Everyone, including the Athenians [...] are right to accept advice from anyone, since it is incumbent on everyone to share in that sort of excellence, or else there can be no city at all.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of shared wisdom and collaboration for the betterment of society.
In this quote by Protagoras, the philosopher argues that the pursuit of excellence and wisdom is a communal responsibility. He asserts that everyone has a role in contributing to the collective knowledge of a society, as without this shared endeavor, the very fabric of the city, or community, would start to unravel. It highlights the significance of openness to advice and the necessity of mutual support in achieving common goals.
Themes
WisdomExcellenceCollaborationSocietyCommunity
In practice
Example use cases
During a community meeting, one might quote this to encourage everyone to contribute their ideas.
More from Protagoras
All quotes βAs to gods, I have no way of knowing either that they exist or do not exist, or what they are like.
ProtagorasRead
Concerning the gods, I have no means of knowing either that they exist or that they do not exist, nor what sort of form they may have; there are many reasons why knowledge on this subject is not possible, owing to the lack of evidence and the shortness of human life.
ProtagorasRead
Many things prevent knowledge, including the obscurity of the subject and the brevity of human life
ProtagorasRead
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