Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow... even if that someone is yourself!
For the introduction of a new kind of music must be shunned as imperiling the whole state; since styles of music are never disturbed without affecting the most important political institutions.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Plato warns that new music can disrupt societal order and political institutions.
In this quote, Plato expresses a concern that the introduction of new musical styles could have profound impacts on the fabric of society, particularly its political and institutional structures. He suggests that music is deeply intertwined with culture and governance, and alterations in musical styles might lead to disturbances that threaten stability and harmony within a state. This reflection emphasizes the power of art, in this case music, to influence and shape societal values, beliefs, and behavior.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture on cultural influence, one might quote Plato to discuss how art forms like music impact social stability.
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