Regard as your most faithful friends, not those who praise everything you say or do, but those who criticize your mistakes.
IsocratesRead
Spend your leisure time in cultivating an ear attentive to discourse, for in this way you will find that you learn with ease what others have found out with difficulty.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Value the time spent listening to others, as it can lead to easier understanding and learning.
This quote by Isocrates emphasizes the importance of active listening and engaging in meaningful conversations during leisure time. By cultivating an 'ear attentive to discourse,' individuals can absorb knowledge and insights more effortlessly, gaining wisdom that others may have struggled to acquire through their own efforts.
Themes
ListeningLearningLeisureDiscourseEducation
In practice
Example use cases
In a workshop about effective communication, this quote could inspire participants to engage more with their peers.
More from Isocrates
All quotes βBut I marvel when I observe these men setting themselves up as instructors of youth who cannot see that they are applying the analogy of an art with hard and fast rules to a creative process
IsocratesRead
And let no one suppose that I claim that just living can be taught for, in a word, I hold that there does not exist an art of the kind which can implant sobriety and justice into depraved natures. Nevertheless, I do think that the study of political discourse can help more than any other thing to stimulate and form such qualities of character
IsocratesRead
It is more important to know where you are going than to get there quickly. Do not mistake activity for achievement. Remember that there is nothing stable in human affairs, therefore avoid undue elation in prosperity or undue depression in adversity.
IsocratesRead
Of all our possessions, wisdom alone is immortal.
IsocratesRead
Abhor flatterers as you would deceivers; for both, if trusted, injure those who trust them. If you admit as friends men who seek your favor for the lowest ends, your life will be lacking in friends who will risk your displeasure for the highest good.
IsocratesRead
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