Quotes by Socrates

There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.

Bad men live that they may eat and drink, whereas good men eat and drink that they may live.

I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.

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.

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

The unexamined life is not worth living.

The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our ways--I to die and you to live. Which is the better, only God knows.

Remember what is unbecoming to do is also unbecoming to speak of.

Regard your good name as the richest jewel you can possibly be possessed of - for credit is like fire; when once you have kindled it you may easily preserve it, but if you once extinguish it, you will find it an arduous task to rekindle it again. The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.

I do nothing but go about persuading you all, old and young alike, not to take thought for your persons or your properties, but and chiefly to care about the greatest improvement of the soul. I tell you that virtue is not given by money, but that from virtue comes money and every other good of man, public as well as private. This is my teaching, and if this is the doctrine which corrupts the youth, I am a mischievous person.