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
Man's life is like a drop of dew on a leaf.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Life is fleeting and fragile, much like a drop of dew.
In this quote, Socrates uses the imagery of a drop of dew, which is transient and vulnerable, to illustrate the brevity and delicacy of human existence. It serves as a reminder that life can be both beautiful and fragile, and encourages us to cherish the moments we have, as they can vanish quickly and unexpectedly.
Themes
LifeFragilityTransienceExistenceImpermanence
In practice
Example use cases
During a graduation speech, one might say this quote to remind graduates to value each moment.
More from Socrates
All quotes βThe poets are only the interpreters of the gods.
SocratesRead
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.
SocratesRead
The unexamined life is not worth living.
SocratesRead
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.
SocratesRead
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.
SocratesRead
Similar quotes
I wasted time, and now doth time waste me; For now hath time made me his numbering clock: My thoughts are minutes; and with sighs they jar Their watches on unto mine eyes, the outward watch, Whereto my finger, like a dial's point, Is pointing still, in cleansing them from tears. Now sir, the sound that tells what hour it is Are clamorous goans, which strike upon my heart, Which is the bell: so sighs and tears and groans Show minutes, times, and hours.
William ShakespeareRead
The problem with the youth of today' is that one is no longer part of it.
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Intentions, good or bad, are not enough. There's luck or fate or something else that takes over.
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It watches," he added suddenly. "The house. It watches every move you make.
Shirley JacksonRead
And indeed there will be time for the yellow smoke that slides along the street rubbing its back upon the window-panes; there will be time , there will be time to prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet; there will be time to murder and create, and time for all the works and days of hands that lift and drop a question on your plate; time for you and time for me, and time yet for a hundred indecisions, and for a hundred visions and revisions, before the taking of toast and tea.
T. S. EliotRead
Many people despise those who spend their health, strength and money for the salvation of others, and call them mad. And yet it is they who will save many and be saved themselves.
Sadhu Sundar SinghRead