Regard as your most faithful friends, not those who praise everything you say or do, but those who criticize your mistakes.
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
Interpretation
What this quote means
Just living cannot be taught, but political discourse can cultivate character.
Isocrates emphasizes that while the essence of living a good life cannot be explicitly taught, engaging in political discourse and communication can significantly enhance one's character traits like sobriety and justice. He suggests that the art of discussion and debate is crucial for personal development and moral integrity, as it challenges individuals to reflect on their values and behavior.
Themes
EducationPolitical DiscourseCharacterJusticeSobriety
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of civic engagement, you could use this quote to emphasize the value of political discourse in shaping moral character.
More from Isocrates
All quotes →But 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
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.
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
Similar quotes
Boys' brains are being digitally rewired for change, novelty, excitement and constant arousal. That means they're totally out of sync in traditional classes, which are analog, static, interactively passive.
Philip ZimbardoRead
Tis the good reader that makes the good book; a good head cannot read amiss: in every book he finds passages which seem confidences or asides hidden from all else and unmistakeably meant for his ear.
Ralph Waldo EmersonRead
A nation that does not stand for its children does not stand for anything and will not stand tall in the future.
Marian Wright EdelmanRead
When we look around the world today, when we see in Afghanistan that 10 million people have registered to vote in their upcoming elections, including 40 percent of those people are women, that's just unbelievable.
Laura BushRead
I come to writing the same way I come to teaching, which is that my goal is always to create life-long readers.
Rick RiordanRead
If only for a half hour a day, a child should do something serviceable to the community
George Bernard ShawRead