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
Nobody is qualified to become a statesman who is entirely ignorant of the problem of wheat.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A true statesman must understand the basic issues affecting society, symbolized here by the problem of wheat.
This quote by Socrates emphasizes the importance of being knowledgeable about fundamental societal issues in order to be an effective leader. The mention of wheat represents basic sustenance and economics, suggesting that statesmen should not only focus on politics but also have a grasp of the practical challenges that affect the livelihood of the people they govern.
Themes
StatesmanKnowledgeLeadershipSocietyWheat
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on political responsibility, a speaker could reference this quote to highlight the importance of understanding fundamental issues.
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
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And as this is the obvious appearance of things, it must be admitted, till some hypothesis be discovered, which by penetrating deeper into human nature, may prove the former affections to be nothing but modifications of the latter. All attempts of this kind have hitherto proved fruitless, and seem to have proceeded entirely from that love of simplicity which has been the source of much false reasoning in philosophy.
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