The poets are only the interpreters of the gods.
SocratesRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Socrates criticizes morality based on emotional values as deceptive and lacking truth.
In this quote, Socrates expresses skepticism towards moral systems that rely solely on emotions or subjective feelings. He believes that such a system is illusory and lacks the sound basis necessary for true morality, which should be objective and grounded in reason rather than personal sentiment.
Themes
MoralityTruthEmotionIllusionPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a philosophy class to illustrate discussions about moral relativism.
More from Socrates
All quotes βI 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.
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The unexamined life is not worth living.
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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.
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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.
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The hour of departure has arrived and we go our ways; I to die, and you to live. Which is better? Only God knows.
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