Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow... even if that someone is yourself!
PlatoRead
And all knowledge, when separated from justice and virtue, is seen to be cunning and not wisdom; wherefore make this your first and last and constant and all-absorbing aim, to exceed, if possible, not only us but all your ancestors in virtue; and know that to excel you in virtue only brings us shame, but that to be excelled by you is a source of happiness to us.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True knowledge must be grounded in justice and virtue; the pursuit of virtue is the highest aim.
This quote from Plato emphasizes that knowledge devoid of justice and virtue is merely cleverness and not true wisdom. Plato implores individuals to strive for greater virtue than their predecessors, highlighting that excelling in virtue not only honors those who came before but also brings joy to them, reinforcing the interconnectedness of knowledge, virtue, and moral responsibility.
Themes
KnowledgeVirtueWisdomJusticeExcellence
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about personal growth and integrity.
More from Plato
All quotes βNot 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.
PlatoRead
...for the object of education is to teach us to love beauty.
PlatoRead
Pleasure is the greatest incentive to evil.
PlatoRead
Nothing in the affairs of men is worthy of great anxiety.
PlatoRead
Let parents bequeath to their children not riches, but the spirit of reverence.
PlatoRead
Similar quotes
If magistrates had true justice, and if physicians had the true art of healing, they would have no occasion for square caps; the majesty of these sciences would itself be venerable enough.
Blaise PascalRead
Their silence is praise enough.
TerenceRead
The men and women who are truly filled with light are those who have gazed deeply into the darkness of their own imperfect existence.
Brennan ManningRead
Every positive thing in your life represents a single unique blessing. Every negative thing in your life has the opportunity to become a double blessing. For when you turn a negative into a positive, you gain twice. You are no longer burdened with the negative situation, and in addition to that you are strengthened by a new positive force.
Ralph MarstonRead
It changes your life, the pursuit of truth.
Ben BradleeRead
Who I am is what fulfills me and fulfills the vision I have of the world.
Audre LordeRead