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States are as the men, they grow out of human characters.
Plato
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The character of a state is shaped by the character of its people.

In this quote, Plato suggests that the nature of a society or government is directly influenced by the moral and ethical character of the individuals that compose it. Just as a person's traits determine how they interact with the world, the collective character of a population dictates the laws, culture, and values of a state, emphasizing the importance of individual virtue in creating a just and effective political system.

Themes

StateCharacterSocietyMoralityPlato

In practice

Example use cases

In a political debate, to emphasize the importance of ethical leadership.

More from Plato

Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow... even if that someone is yourself!
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Not one of them who took up in his youth with this opinion that there are no gods ever continued until old age faithful to his conviction.
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...for the object of education is to teach us to love beauty.
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Nothing in the affairs of men is worthy of great anxiety.
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Let parents bequeath to their children not riches, but the spirit of reverence.
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