Quotes By Socrates

Date of Birth: 469 BC    Date of Death: 399 BC

We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.  ~ Socrates


The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.  ~ Socrates


Every action has its pleasures and its price.  ~ Socrates


Not life, but good life, is to be chiefly valued.  ~ Socrates


Do not do to others what angers you if done to you by others.  ~ Socrates


The unexamined life is not worth living.  ~ Socrates


The only thing I know is that I don't know anything.  ~ Socrates


Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.  ~ Socrates


Think not those faithful who praise all thy words and actions; but those who kindly reprove thy faults.  ~ Socrates


Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.  ~ Socrates


Be of good cheer about death, and know this of a truth, that no evil can happen to a good man, either in life or after death.  ~ Socrates


We cannot live better than in seeking to become better.  ~ Socrates


Envy is the ulcer of the soul.  ~ Socrates


The easiest and noblest way is not to be crushing others, but to be improving yourselves.  ~ Socrates


Living well and beautifully and justly are all one thing.  ~ Socrates


From the deepest desires often come the deadliest hate.  ~ Socrates


The greatest blessing granted to mankind come by way of madness, which is a divine gift.  ~ Socrates


He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.  ~ Socrates


Thou shouldst eat to live; not live to eat.  ~ Socrates


I pray Thee, O God, that I may be beautiful within.  ~ Socrates


Virtue does not come from wealth, but. . . wealth, and every other good thing which men have. . . comes from virtue.  ~ Socrates


Let him who would move the world first move himself.  ~ Socrates


If all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be content to take their own and depart.  ~ Socrates


When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser.  ~ Socrates


I am not an Athenian nor a Greek, but a citizen of the world.  ~ Socrates


The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.  ~ Socrates


Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.  ~ Socrates


Know thyself.  ~ Socrates


He is not only idle who does nothing, but he is idle who might be better employed.  ~ Socrates


Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings so that you shall come easily by what others have labored hard for.  ~ Socrates


The shortest and surest way to live with honor in the world is to be in reality what we would appear to be.  ~ Socrates


In all of us, even in good men, there is a lawless wild-beast nature, which peers out in sleep.  ~ Socrates


If you want to be a good saddler, saddle the worst horse; for if you can tame one, you can tame all.
  ~ Socrates

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher. ~ Socrates


To find yourself, think for yourself.  ~ Socrates


By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.  ~ Socrates


To express oneself badly is not only faulty as far as the language goes, but does some harm to the soul.  ~ Socrates


Beware of the barrenness of a busy life.  ~ Socrates


One should never do wrong in return, nor mistreat any man, no matter how one has been mistreated by him.  ~ Socrates


Through your rags I see your vanity.  ~ Socrates


The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our separate ways, I to die, and you to live. Which of these two is better only God knows.  ~ Socrates


Death may be the greatest of all human blessings.  ~ Socrates


The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance.  ~ Socrates


Be slow to fall into friendship, but when you are in, continue firm and constant.  ~ Socrates