Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow... even if that someone is yourself!
PlatoRead
For though a man should be a complete unbeliever in the being of gods; if he also has a native uprightness of temper, such persons will detest evil in men; their repugnance to wrong disinclines them to commit wrongful acts; they shun the unrighteous and are drawn to the upright.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Moral integrity is not dependent on belief in deities; it arises from an innate sense of right and wrong.
This quote by Plato illustrates the idea that a person's moral character and ethical behavior can exist independently of religious beliefs. It emphasizes that even those who may not believe in gods can possess a natural inclination towards goodness and virtue, leading them to abhor evil and seek righteousness, suggesting that morality is inherent in human nature.
Themes
MoralityUprightnessEthicsBeliefGoodnessRightWrong
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on ethics, this quote can exemplify the idea that people can be good without religious influence.
More from Plato
All quotes →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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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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