A system of morality that is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception that has nothing sound in it and nothing true.
SocratesRead
A man should inure himself to voluntary labor, and not give up to indulgence and pleasure, as they beget no good constitution of body nor knowledge of mind.
Interpretation
What this quote means
One should cultivate a habit of hard work instead of giving in to comforts, as the latter does not contribute to one's physical or mental development.
This quote by Socrates emphasizes the importance of self-discipline and the value of hard work. Socrates advocates for voluntarily engaging in labor as a means of building character and acquiring knowledge, suggesting that a life of indulgence leads to neither physical well-being nor intellectual growth. The essence of the statement is that personal development stems from effort and perseverance rather than ease and luxury.
Themes
Hard WorkSelf-DisciplineIndulgencePersonal GrowthKnowledge
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about perseverance, this quote can inspire the audience to embrace hard work.
More from Socrates
All quotes βThe poets are only the interpreters of the gods.
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I am wiser than this man, for neither of us appears to know anything great and good; but he fancies he knows something, although he knows nothing; whereas I, as I do not know anything, so I do not fancy I do. In this trifling particular, then, I appear to be wiser than he, because I do not fancy I know what I do not know.
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The unexamined life is not worth living.
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When I was young, I believed that life might unfold in an orderly way, according to my hopes and expectations. But now I understand that the Way winds like a river, always changing, ever onward.. My journeys revealed that the Way itself creates the warrior; that every path leads to peace, every choice to wisdom. And that life has always been, and will always be, arising in Mystery.
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Not life, but good life, is to be chiefly valued." "It is not living that matters, but living rightly. The unexamined life is not worth living.
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