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
The shortest and surest way to live with honor in the world, is to be in reality what we would appear to be, all human virtues increase and strengthen themselves by the practice and experience of them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Living honorably requires authenticity, and practicing virtues strengthens them.
This quote by Socrates emphasizes the importance of authenticity in one's character. To live honorably, one must genuinely embody the virtues they represent, as true integrity leads to the enhancement of those virtues through continuous practice and experience. Socrates suggests that by being true to ourselves, we allow our human virtues to flourish, thus improving our lives and the lives of those around us.
Themes
HonorAuthenticityVirtuesIntegritySelf-Improvement
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about personal ethics and integrity, one might use this quote to illustrate the importance of being true to oneself.
More from Socrates
All quotes →The 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
Envy and greed starve on a steady diet of thanksgiving.
Billy GrahamRead
Every idea occurs while you are working. If you are sitting around waiting for inspiration, you could sit there forever.
Chuck CloseRead
It's very important in life to know when to shut up. You should not be afraid of silence.
Alex TrebekRead
The ability to calm your soul and wait before God is one of the most difficult things in the Christian life. Our old nature is restless... the world around us is frantically in a hurry. But a restless heart usually leads to a reckless life.
Warren W. WiersbeRead
It is in vain that we get upon stilts, for once on them, it is still with our legs that we must walk. And on the highest throne in the world we are still sitting on our own ass.
Michel De MontaigneRead
When the pain overtakes you, reach inside. Gather the broken pieces, and hand them to God. Ask Him to remake your heart. Different, this time. Stronger. More beautiful. This is how we are made, and remade by the Maker.
Yasmin MogahedRead