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
Be slow to fall into friendship; but when thou art in, continue firm and constant.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Choose friends carefully and commit to those relationships fully.
Socrates emphasizes the importance of being cautious when forming friendships, advocating for a thoughtful selection of friends, and once a true friendship is established, it should be nurtured with steadfast loyalty and consistency. This highlights the balance between discernment in choosing companions and the dedication required to maintain meaningful connections.
Themes
FriendshipLoyaltyCommitmentCautionRelationships
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of building strong relationships, one might say, 'As Socrates wisely noted, be slow to fall into friendship; but when you are in, remain steadfast.'
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'll never see them again. I know that. And they know that. And knowing this, we say farewell.
Haruki MurakamiRead
It would be the death of you to come with me, Sam," said Frodo, "and I could not have borne that." "Not as certain as being left behind," said Sam. "But I am going to Mordor." "I know that well enough, Mr. Frodo. Of course you are. And I'm coming with you.
J. R. R. TolkienRead
In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge.
AristotleRead
Conversation with a friend will only bear good fruit of knowledge when both think only of the matter under consideration and forget that they are friends.
Friedrich NietzscheRead
I dreamed in a dream, I saw a city invincible to the attacks of the whole of the rest of the earth; I dreamed that was the new City of Friends; Nothing was greater there than the quality of robust loveβit led the rest; It was seen every hour in the actions of the men of that city, And in all their looks and words.
Walt WhitmanRead
... the friendship of worthless people has a bad effect (because they take part, unstable as they are, in worthless pursuits, and actually become bad through each other's influence). But the friendship of the good is good, and increases in goodness because of their association. They seem even to become better men by exercising their friendship and improving each other; for the traits that they admire in each other get transferred to themselves.
AristotleRead