Plato Quotes
Plato wrote dialogues, so his words are spoken by characters, usually Socrates. Every quote below is cited by Stephanus number, the page system used in every edition, so you can check it.
4 real Plato quotes, with sources
“The beginning is the most important part of any work.”Plato — Republic 2, 377a (tr. Jowett)
“There is a victory and defeat — the first and best of victories, the lowest and worst of defeats — which each man gains or sustains at the hands, not of another, but of himself.”Plato — Laws 1, 626e (tr. Jowett)
“Until philosophers are kings, or the kings and princes of this world have the spirit and power of philosophy… cities will never have rest from their evils.”Plato — Republic 5, 473c–d (tr. Jowett)
“The worst part of the punishment is that he who refuses to rule is liable to be ruled by one who is worse than himself.”Plato — Republic 1, 347c (tr. Jowett)
Famous quotes Plato never said
“Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.”Not found in any of Plato's dialogues. It started circulating in English in the 20th century.
“Courage is knowing what not to fear.”A modern compression. Plato discusses courage as knowledge of what is and isn't to be feared (for example in the Laches), but never in these words.
Who was Plato?
Student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, Plato founded the Academy in Athens, often called the first university in the Western world. His dialogues, including the Republic, explore justice, love, knowledge and the ideal state. Read more on Wikipedia.
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What is Plato's most famous quote?
One of the best known is “The beginning is the most important part of any work.” (Republic 2, 377a (tr. Jowett))
Did Plato really say “Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.”?
No. Not found in any of Plato's dialogues. It started circulating in English in the 20th century.
Did Plato really say “Courage is knowing what not to fear.”?
No. A modern compression. Plato discusses courage as knowledge of what is and isn't to be feared (for example in the Laches), but never in these words.
Where do these Plato quotes come from?
Plato wrote dialogues, so his words are spoken by characters, usually Socrates. Every quote below is cited by Stephanus number, the page system used in every edition, so you can check it.
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