Socrates (born c. 470 BCE, Athens [Greece]—died 399 BCE, Athens) was a classical Greek Athenian philosopher. Credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy, he is an enigmatic figure known chiefly through the accounts of later classical writers, especially the writings of his students Plato and Xenophon, and the plays of his contemporary Aristophanes¹.
Socrates believed that philosophy should achieve practical results for the greater well-being of society. He attempted to establish an ethical system based on human reason rather than theological doctrine².
View our collection of the greatest Socrates quotes about life, soul, and wisdom.
Quotes From 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
All men’s souls are immortal, but the souls of the righteous are immortal and divine. — Socrates
An honest man is always a child. — Socrates
As for me, all I know is that I know nothing. — Socrates
As to marriage or celibacy, let a man take which course he will, he will be sure to repent. — Socrates
Be as you wish to seem. — Socrates
Be slow to fall into friendship; but when thou art in, continue firm and constant. — Socrates
Beauty is a short-lived tyranny. — Socrates
Beauty is the bait which with delight allures man to enlarge his kind. — Socrates
Beware the barrenness of a busy life. — 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
Death may be the greatest of all human blessings. — Socrates
Employ your time in improving yourself by other men’s writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for. — Socrates
False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil. — Socrates
From the deepest desires often come the deadliest hate. — Socrates
He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy. — Socrates
He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature. — Socrates
I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing. — Socrates
I decided that it was not wisdom that enabled poets to write their poetry, but a kind of instinct or inspiration, such as you find in seers and prophets who deliver all their sublime messages without knowing in the least what they mean. — Socrates
I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance. — Socrates
I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing. — 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
I was really too honest a man to be a politician and live. — Socrates
If a man is proud of his wealth, he should not be praised until it is known how he employs it. — 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
It is not living that matters, but living rightly. — Socrates
Let him that would move the world first move himself. — Socrates
My advice to you is get married: if you find a good wife you’ll be happy; if not, you’ll become a philosopher. — Socrates
Not life, but good life, is to be chiefly valued. — Socrates
Once made equal to man, woman becomes his superior. — Socrates
One who is injured ought not to return the injury, for on no account can it be right to do an injustice; and it is not right to return an injury, or to do evil to any man, however much we have suffered from him. — Socrates
Ordinary people seem not to realize that those who really apply themselves in the right way to philosophy are directly and of their own accord preparing themselves for dying and death. — Socrates
Our prayers should be for blessings in general, for God knows best what is good for us. — Socrates
The end of life is to be like God, and the soul following God will be like Him. — Socrates
The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be. — Socrates
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing. — Socrates
The poets are only the interpreters of the Gods. — Socrates
The unexamined life is not worth living. — Socrates
The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear. — Socrates
To know, is to know that you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge. — Socrates
True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing. — Socrates
True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us. — Socrates
Where there is reverence there is fear, but there is not reverence everywhere that there is fear, because fear presumably has a wider extension than reverence. — Socrates
Wisdom begins in wonder. — Socrates
Worthless people live only to eat and drink; people of worth eat and drink only to live. — Socrates
Recommended:
Top 88 Abraham Lincoln Quotes on Life, Democracy, and Freedom Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. Lincoln successfully led…
55 Ayn Rand Quotes on Life, Individual Rights, and Government Author Ayn Rand wrote the best-selling books 'The Fountainhead' and 'Atlas Shrugged,' and promoted the philosophy of Objectivism. Born in Russia in 1905, Ayn Rand moved to the United States…
Why Revival Tarries Thought-provoking truths are found in this book. Leonard Ravenhill wrote this book orginally in 1959 but his words have just as much relevance today. His passion for the church, for…
18 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes Which are your favorite Alexander Hamilton quotes? Alexander Hamilton born in the British West Indies, and later became General George Washington's assistant. In 1788, as one of America's Founding Fathers,…
Top 35 Max Lucado Quotes Max Lucado (Born: January 11, 1955) is a Pastor and author who has written many Christian books. His work has inspired and helped millions. *** Max Lucado Quotes "What Christ…
Top 68 Sigmund Freud Quotes (That Will Change Your Life) Sigmund Freud (May 6, 1856, to Sept. 23, 1939) founded psychoanalysis, a treatment technique that involves the patient talking to a psychoanalyst. Though Sigmund Freud quotes and ideas were controversial,…
127 Inspiring Henry David Thoreau Quotes Henry David Thoreau (July 12, 1817 – May 6, 1862) was an American author, poet, philosopher, abolitionist, naturalist, tax resister, development critic, surveyor, historian, and leading transcendentalist. His quotes are…
TOP 10 Abraham Maslow Quotes Which are your favorite Abraham Maslow quotes? He, in full Abraham Harold Maslow, also called Abraham H. Maslow, (born April 1, 1908, New York, New York, U.S.—died June 8, 1970,…
38 Best Audrey Hepburn Quotes on Beauty, Life, and Happiness Audrey Hepburn was a British actress and humanitarian. Recognized as both a film and fashion icon, Hepburn was active during Hollywood's Golden Age. She has since been ranked as the…
Top 34 Vincent Van Gogh Quotes about Life, Love, and Art Vincent Willem van Gogh (30 March 185329 July 1890) was a Dutch post-Impressionist painter whose work, notable for its rough beauty, emotional honesty and bold color, had a far-reaching influence…
30 Best Charles H. Spurgeon Quotes Charles Haddon Spurgeon (June 19, 1834 - January 31,1892) was a pastor and author who influenced millions around the world. His words are still inspiring many Christians today. *** Charles…
180 Victor Hugo Quotes about Idea, Love, and Music Victor Marie Hugo was a poet, novelist, and dramatist of the Romantic movement. He is considered one of the greatest and best known French writers. His work touches upon most…
Top 20 Wilferd Peterson Quotes Born in Whitehall, Michigan, Mr. Wilferd Peterson (August 21, 1900 - June 2, 1995) as author whose work appeared in This Week magazine and other magazines. He wrote many books…
Top 46 Vince Lombardi Quotes That Will Inspire You Vincent Thomas Lombardi is arguably the greatest football coach of all time, and is on the shortlist of history’s greatest coaches, regardless of sport. His ability to teach, motivate and…
The Jeremiah Study Bible Dr. David Jeremiah offers his knowledge, wisdom and experience in The Jeremiah Study Bible: What It Says. What It Means. What It Means for You. The Bible is the New…
Passages The subtitle of this book Passages is: "How Reading The Bible in a Year Will Change Everything For You" - it is a great summary of what the book is…
Have A Great Day Quotes Norman Vincent Peale's book, Have a Great Day, provides a thought for each day of the year. Short but inspiring thoughts. A book we would recomend if you only have…
Top 40 James Baldwin Quotes on Love, Freedom, and America James Baldwin was a novelist, essayist, playwright, poet. One of the most notable minds in mid-20th century America. His works delve into the racial, and social distinctions in Western societies…
168 Benjamin Franklin Quotes on Politics, Moral, Liberty, and Peace Benjamin Franklin (April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician,…
TOP 67 Aldous Huxley Quotes Which are your favorite Aldous Huxley quotes? Aldous Leonard Huxley (26 July 1894 – 22 November 1963) was an English writer and philosopher. He wrote nearly fifty books —both novels…
Come Thirsty Here find quotes from Mac Lucado's book, Come Thirsty: No Heart Too Dry for His Touch. This book is one that will inspire and encourage you. Reading it will refresh…
TOP 64 Albert Camus Quotes Which are your favorite Albert Camus quotes? Albert Camus, (born November 7, 1913, Mondovi, Algeria—died January 4, 1960, near Sens, France), French novelist, essayist, and playwright, best known for such…
75 Beautiful Charles Dickens Quotes About Life and Happiness Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's most memorable fictional characters and is generally regarded as the greatest novelist of…
Top 36 Most Inspiring Mother Teresa Quotes Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu () and commonly known as Mother Teresa (26 August 1910 – 5 September 1997), was an ethnic Albanian, Indian Roman Catholic nun.…
Top 31 Andy Stanley Quotes (Inspiring Pastor and Author) Be inspired by these Christian quotes from Andy Stanley. May they encourage you and remind you of God's blessings in your life. Andy Stanley (May 16, 1958), an inspiring Pastor…
