Socrates Quotes

68 quotes in this collection

Author Spotlight

Socrates

Socrates was a Greek philosopher. Their teachings on wisdom, self-awareness and the search for meaning continue to guide people seeking clarity and inner strength.

68 quotes in this collection

Featured Newest Most Liked Most Viewed

"Silence is a profound melody, for those who can hear it above all the noise."

-- Socrates

"Silence is a profound melody, for those who can hear it above all the noise."

-- 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

"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

"From the deepest desires often come the deadliest hate."

-- Socrates

"From the deepest desires often come the deadliest hate."

-- Socrates

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

-- Socrates

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

-- Socrates

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

-- Socrates

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

-- Socrates

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

-- Socrates

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

-- Socrates

"Thou shouldst eat to live; not live to eat."

-- Socrates

"Thou shouldst eat to live; not live to eat."

-- Socrates

"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing."

-- Socrates

"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing."

-- Socrates

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

-- Socrates

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

-- Socrates

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

-- Socrates

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

-- Socrates

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

-- Socrates

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

-- Socrates

"Every action has its pleasures and its price."

-- Socrates

"Every action has its pleasures and its price."

-- Socrates

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

-- Socrates

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

-- Socrates

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

-- Socrates

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

-- Socrates

"Understanding a question is half an answer."

-- Socrates

"Understanding a question is half an answer."

-- Socrates

"Not life, but good life, is to be chiefly valued."

-- Socrates

"Not life, but good life, is to be chiefly valued."

-- 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

"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

"Beware the barrenness of a busy life."

-- Socrates

"Beware the barrenness of a busy life."

-- Socrates

"Falling down is not a failure. Failure comes when you stay where you have fallen."

-- Socrates

"Falling down is not a failure. Failure comes when you stay where you have fallen."

-- Socrates

"There is no possession more valuable than a good and faithful friend."

-- Socrates

"There is no possession more valuable than a good and faithful friend."

-- Socrates

"Smart people learn from everything and everyone, average people from their experiences, stupid people already have all the answers."

-- Socrates

"Smart people learn from everything and everyone, average people from their experiences, stupid people already have all the answers."

-- Socrates

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

-- Socrates

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

-- Socrates

"Envy is the ulcer of the soul."

-- Socrates

"Envy is the ulcer of the soul."

-- Socrates

"Be as you wish to seem."

-- Socrates

"Be as you wish to seem."

-- Socrates

About this author

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked

Who is Socrates? +

Socrates was a Greek philosopher. Their teachings on wisdom, self-awareness and the search for meaning continue to guide people seeking clarity and inner strength.

What is Socrates's most famous quote? +

One of Socrates's most widely shared quotes is: "Be as you wish to seem.".

What did Socrates say about mindset? +

On mindset, Socrates said: "The unexamined life is not worth living.".

What did Socrates say about wisdom? +

On wisdom, Socrates said: "There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.".

Why are Socrates's quotes popular? +

Socrates's quotes endure because they turn ideas about Mindset, Wisdom, Philosophy, Life Lessons into clear, memorable language that is easy to relate to and share.

Explore by theme