Socrates quotes page 1

c. 469-399 BC, Greek Athenian philosopher

One thing only I know, and that is that I know nothing.
Socrates

My advice to you is to get married. If you find a good wife, you'll be happy; if not, you'll
become a philosopher.
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

If a man would move the world, he must first move himself.
Socrates

Be slow to fall into friendship; but when thou art in, continue firm and constant.
Socrates

They are not only idle who do nothing, but they are idle also who might be better employed.
Socrates

All men's souls are immortal, but the souls of the righteous are immortal and divine.
Socrates

Nature has given us two ears, two eyes, and but one tongue - to the end that we should
hear and see more than we speak.
Socrates

A multitude of books distracts the mind.
Socrates

Worthless people live only to eat and drink; people of worth eat and drink only to live.
Socrates

To find yourself, think for yourself.
Socrates

A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion; a
thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true.
Socrates

How many are the things I can do without!
Socrates

False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil.
Socrates

Remember - no human condition is ever permanent. Then you will not be overjoyed in good
fortune nor too scornful in misfortune.
Socrates

Once made equal to man, woman becomes his superior.
Socrates

Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty.
Socrates

Enjoy yourself - it's later than you think.
Socrates

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

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

Let him that would move the world, first move himself.
Socrates

Are you not ashamed of caring so much for the making of money and for fame and prestige,
when you neither think nor care about wisdom and truth and the improvement of your soul?
Socrates

Fame is the perfume of heroic deeds.
Socrates

The unexamined life is not worth living.
Socrates

Call no man unhappy until he is married.
Socrates

Our youth now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show
disrespect for their elders and love chatter in place of exercise; they no longer rise when elders
enter the room; they contradict their parents, chatter before company; gobble up their food
and tyrannize their teachers.
Socrates

Envy is the ulcer of the soul.
Socrates

Force is of no use to make or preserve a friend, who is an animal that is never caught nor
tamed but by kindness and pleasure.
Socrates

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

I only wish that ordinary people had an unlimited capacity for doing harm; then they might
have an unlimited power for doing good.
Socrates

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