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
Let him that would move the world first move himself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
To effect change in the world, one must first look within and change oneself.
This quote by Socrates emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and self-improvement as prerequisites for making a significant impact on the world. It suggests that true change begins with the individual; only by transforming oneself can one hope to influence others or society at large.
Themes
ChangeSelf-ImprovementResponsibilityImpactPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about personal development.
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
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You have the effrontery to be squeamish, it thought at him. But we were dragons. We were supposed to be cruel, cunning, heartless and terrible. But this much I can tell you, you ape β the great face pressed even closer, so that Wonse was staring into the pitiless depths of his eyes β we never burned and tortured and ripped one another apart and called it morality.
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Our country is now geared to an arms economy bred in an artificially induced psychosis of war hysteria and an incessant propaganda of fear.
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Two may talk and one may hear, but three cannot take part in a conversation of the most sincere and searching sort.
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We should not ask, βWhat is wrong with the world?β for that diagnosis has already been given. Rather we should ask, βWhat has happened to salt and light?
John StottRead