...the right way is to give one's attention first to the highest good of the young, just as you expect a good gardener to give his attention first to the young plants, and after that to the others.
Socrates The Last Days of Socrates
Categories: children family priorities balance

The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.
Socrates Light from Many Lamps
Categories: reputation authenticity honesty integrity

Living well and beautifully and justly are all one thing.
Socrates The Book of Positive Quotations
Categories: living life joy meaning fulfillment purpose

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 The Book of Positive Quotations
Categories: adversity challenges difficulties problems

Be slow to fall into friendship; but when thou art in, continue firm and constant.
Socrates The Book of Positive Quotations
Categories: friendship relationships loyalty

Our prayers should be for blessings in general, for God knows best what is good for us.
Socrates The Book of Positive Quotations
Categories: blessings prayer faith

What most counts is not to live, but to live aright.
Socrates The Book of Positive Quotations
Categories: personal responsiblity integrity character

To do is to be.
Socrates The Book of Positive Quotations
Categories: action effort work meaning fulfillment purpose

If a man would move the world, he must first move himself.
Socrates The Book of Positive Quotations
Categories: motivation change effort work action decision

Life contains but two tragedies. One is not to get your heart's desire; the other is to get it.
Socrates Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations
Categories: desires wants needs

You are not only good yourself, but the cause of goodness in others.
Socrates Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations
Categories: setting an example mentoring

Better to do a little well, then a great deal badly.
Socrates The Forbes Book of Business Quotations: 14,266 Thoughts on the Business of Life
Categories: quality priorities excellence

The shortest and surest way to live with honor in the world, is to be in reality what we would appear to be; all human virtues increase and strengthen themselves by the practice and experience of them.
Socrates The Forbes Book of Business Quotations: 14,266 Thoughts on the Business of Life
Categories: honor character integrity authenticity

He is not only idle who does nothing, but he is idle who might be better employed.
Socrates The Forbes Book of Business Quotations: 14,266 Thoughts on the Business of Life
Categories: work effort purpose goals priorities

Think not those faithful who praise all thy words, but those who kindly reprove thy faults.
Socrates The Forbes Book of Business Quotations: 14,266 Thoughts on the Business of Life
Categories: flattery truth relationships

I don't care what people say about me. I do care about my mistakes.
Socrates The Forbes Book of Business Quotations: 14,266 Thoughts on the Business of Life
Categories: gossip self-esteem standards

If a rich man is proud of his wealth, he should not be praised until it is known how he employs it.
Socrates The Forbes Book of Business Quotations: 14,266 Thoughts on the Business of Life
Categories: money stewardship materialism

Such as thy words are, such will thine affection be esteemed; and such as thine affections, will be thy deeds; and such as thy deeds will be thy life.
Socrates The Forbes Book of Business Quotations: 14,266 Thoughts on the Business of Life
Categories: words speech communication relationships

Where a man has once taken up his stand, either because it seems best to him or in obedience to his orders, there I believe he is bound to remain and face the danger, taking no account of death or anything else before dishonor.
Socrates The Last Days of Socrates
Categories: duty courage bravery principles

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 In "Apology," sct. 21, by Plato.
Categories: instinct

Envy is the ulcer of the soul.
Socrates
Categories: jealousy

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

There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.
Socrates from Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers
Categories: knowledge

The unexamined life is not worth living.
Socrates in Plato, Dialogues, Apology
Categories: life

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.
Socrates
Categories: reputation